Northern Ireland’s Distillery Trail

Over the last decade, there has been a huge renaissance in distilling in Northern Ireland. Its long history began in 1608 when Bushmills gained its licence to distil from King James I. It is now the oldest licenced whiskey distillery in the world, having produced spirit continuously since this date.

Irish whiskey production increased hugely over the intervening years and in 1900, 70% of Irish whiskey was produced in Belfast. Many think of shipbuilding as the biggest industry in Belfast, but whiskey production was an even bigger money maker for the city, producing spirit that was widely exported in huge quantities. This all changed quite rapidly, as just a few decades later, prohibition in America practically destroyed the international market for Irish whiskey. Almost all distilleries ceased production.

The current picture couldn’t look more different however, with a boom in new distilleries opening creating world class new spirits and reviving significant heritage brands.

Northern Ireland is genuinely one of the most exciting places to visit for anyone interested in spirits. From multi-million pound investment visitor experiences to exquisite quality small-scale artisanal producers, you’ll find a wonderfully vibrant and characterful collection of producers in Northern Ireland and they’re all worth a visit. What’s even better is that they are all within a relatively short distance from one another, so a road trip is highly recommended.

Starting in Belfast, McConnell’s Distillery opened just this year in the re-purposed Crumlin Road Gaol on Crumlin Road in North Belfast. The McConnell’s brand started in Belfast in 1776 and produced whisky (McConnell’s use this spelling, rather than the Irish ‘whiskey’) continuously until the 1930s. It’s a story of great resilience from generations of the McConnell family. In the 1840s, Hugh McConnell – then in charge – died suddenly and his widow, Eleanor (and mother of their three children) stepped in upon his death and significantly shaped the future direction of the business.

Now, the Belfast Distillery Company has stepped in to revive this brand and whisky is now being distilled in their new Belfast site. The restoration of the Gaol is simply astonishing – you can expect an extraordinarily memorable experience on the tour and tasting experience.

Start with the McConnell’s 5 year old with ginger ale and don’t forget to try the Sherry Cask finish whisky, aged in Oloroso barrels.

Titanic Distillers opened in Belfast 2023, giving it the claim of being Belfast’s first working whiskey distillery in nearly 90 years. I was fortunate to have visited during the build and subsequently upon opening, and this is another astonishing experience. The distillery has been built in the historic Titanic Pumphouse, which opened in 1911 in order to accommodate the White Star ships, including the Titanic. The pumphouse and dry dock make for another astonishing visit in a totally different way. Copper stills have been installed on a new central floor – quite the feat of engineering. Their Premium Irish Whiskey and Vodka are excellent, and the tour and tasting experience is very enjoyable.

Copeland

Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee was founded in 2016 through a crowdfunding campaign. The distillery has a strong sense of community and heritage and produces a range of gin, rum and whiskey. Their spirits have won a number of awards, including their Gin and Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur – both are excellent.

Hinch

Hinch Distillery in Ballynahinch is a truly impressive new-build distillery. This is a pretty staggering site, dominated by an astonishing new distillery which houses three huge copper pot stills named after three local mountains; Donard, Croob and Wee Binnian.

The tour and tasting are really slick and professional and feature a sensory stimulation in the Spectrum Room. The Hinch spirits are excellent – try the peated single malt and 10 year sherry cask finish.

Shortcross Rademon Estate Distillery

This is one of the earliest new distilleries in Northern Ireland, Shortcross was founded in 2012 by Fiona and David Boyd-Armstrong. They can claim the title of first award-winning craft distillery in Northern Ireland and home to Ireland’s most awarded gin; Shortcross gin. The business is still family owned and operated. David’s whiskies launched in 2021 and he’s produced some really beautiful products, including an amazing Single Pot Still and Rye and Malt Irish whiskies.

The Rademon Estate is simply beautiful, dating back to AD 565, and a visit to the distillery and tasting room here is such a treat.

Echlinville

The Echlinville Distillery is really interesting as it was Northern Ireland’s first ‘field to glass’ distillery The Echlinville Estate farm grows the barley it uses for its new-make spirits, which is also floor-malted on the farm. The Echlinville business, based in Newtownards, produces a range of excellent whiskies and gin and is home to a number of popular and heritage brands, such as Jawbox gin and Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. A tour and tasting is a fascinating experience, with a really wide range of products to sample.

Killowen

Killowen is a superb small-batch distillery based near Newry in the heart of the Mourne Mountains. This distillery may be small in size, but it produces some truly exceptional products that will surprise and delight. There are several must-try products in the range. The Signature Rum & Raisin 5 year single malt Irish whisky finished in dark rum casks and PX sherry butts is fantastic. Their Dark Rum has been blended using the solera method and cask aged and is truly lovely. The Gloria coffee liqueur is astonishingly good. Their range of gin is really interesting and all excellent. I like that the flavoured gins use wonderful seasonal ingredients, such as rhubarb and heather.

Two Stacks

Nearby in Newry is Two Stacks, which is another excellent brand, which opened Ireland’s only independent bonding and blending facilities in 2022. They create some outstanding products which are so interesting and innovative. I am especially fond of their exceptional Two Stacks Double Irish Cream Liqueur which I think is absolutely guaranteed to delight any Irish Cream lover. They produce a wonderful range of beautifully presented ‘Dram in a Can’ whiskies – all of which are excellent – and have collaborated with outstanding local producers to create some fantastic peripheral products, such as truffles, made with Neary Nogs chocolatier, a truly special producer.

Boatyard

The Boatyard Distillery can be found close to Lough Erne near Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. It is in fact the first legal distillery in County Fermanagh in over 130 years. Tours and tastings are most enjoyable, with a farm welcome and samples of every spirit plus long drinks, so be sure to plan your onward transport! The Boatyard Double Gin is the most well-known product, but I also really like the Sloe Boat slow gin, too. A must for gin lovers.

Wild Atlantic

Heading over to County Tyrone now, the Wild Atlantic Distillery based near Castlederg produces a range of award-winning craft distillery whiskey, gin and vodka. Based near the Sperrins, their products are hugely enjoyable and have a real sense of place. Founded in 2018, they were the first producer in over 100 years to revive Irish whiskey production in the Derry/Strabane area. Try their Wild Atlantic Irish Gin and Vodka.

Bushmills

The Old Bushmills Distillery is probably the one you’ll know best on the list as it is the world’s oldest licenced distillery. Whiskies are still made here using Irish barley and their own water. The distillery is seriously impressive and a tour is such a lovely experience. I have even been lucky enough to have enjoyed their whiskey on the rocks experience, tasting their whiskies down at nearby Giant’s Causeway. The range of whiskies are fantastic, and with such heritage and investment in this brand, they’ll have some lovely surprises to taste along the way, too. An absolutely iconic brand that really is worth visiting. I must recommend the fantastic Bushmills Inn nearby too, which is totally worth a stay if you’re in the area.

Basalt

Basalt Distillery is another newer business, founded and run by James Richardson and Martha Garbe. Both chemical engineers, they are producing some totally special and wonderful spirits using their pioneering techniques and dedication to their craft. Their Basalt Volcanic Rock Gin is absolutely wonderful and has won many awards. Their vodka is fantastic and they work with Northern Ireland’s top chef, Paula McIntyre to producer her divine range of gin, rum and gin liqueur, all flavoured with local fruit and botanicals. These are all a must-try. Watch this space for future visiting opportunities.

And finally, whiskey lovers visiting Belfast will adore a trip to The Friend at Hand on Hill Street – simply the most extraordinary whisky shop you’ll probably ever visit, with a surprise out the back – just ask. It’s an experience to remember forever.