Tavern on Broadway in Newport hosted J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey Founder Louise McGuane in collaboration with distributor Best Beverage on Sept. 9. The Meet the Maker session and education showcased McGuane, a leader in the revival of whiskey bonding in Ireland, which all but disappeared in the 1930s. Bonding is the practice of sourcing “new make” spirit and mature Irish whiskey from Irish distilleries and maturing, blending and bottling unique whiskeys. During the 19th and 20th centuries, there were hundreds of distilleries operating in Ireland. Now on her family farm in County Clare a mile from the coast, McGuane has brought back the J.J. Corry brand, named after a legendary nearby whiskey bonder, where she blends and matures whiskeys from multiple sources. She is the first whiskey bonder in Ireland in more than 50 years. The first offerings from J.J. Corry are The Hanson, a bright, fruit-forward Irish whiskey with notes of toasted coconut and vanilla fudge, and The Gael, a classic whiskey made from rare mature single-malt and grain whiskeys ranging from nine years to 28 years old. The Gael features flavors of white stone fruits, lime, candied orange and pink peppercorns. Guests enjoyed a sip-and-chat format with McGuane and whiskey cocktails created by Tavern on Broadway’s Bar Manager John Keating.