The new site which is now producing whiskey for Walsh Whiskey’s Irishman and Writers Tears brands, marks the return of distilling to County Carlow for the first time in over 200 years.
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| Walsh Whiskey officially opens its distillery at Royal Oak |
Alongside husband and wife, Bernard & Rosemary Walsh, founders of Walsh Whiskey Distillery, the opening ceremony was officiated by Augusto Reina, Chief Executive of Illva Saronno Spa of Milan (owners of drinks brands Disaronno and Tia Maria) which has a 50% share in the Walsh Whiskey Distillery.
Located on an 18th century estate comprising 40 acres of pastoral land, the distillery is the only independent Irish whiskey distillery producing all three styles of Irish whiskey; pot still, malt and grain from its two production lines using both pot stills and column stills.
The new distillery has the capacity to produce 650,000 cases of whiskey annually which is 9.7% of the total Irish whiskey exports in 2014. The site will also include two maturation houses with capacity for 60,000 barrels. Work on these buildings will commence in 2017.
The company actually commenced distilling on Easter Sunday this year and is laying down stocks for release from 2019 onwards, after the minimum three-year maturation process has been completed.
Commenting on the distillery’s official launch, Bernard Walsh, Founder of Walsh Whiskey Distillery, said: “After 17 years in business, the opening of our own distillery is both the fulfilment of Rosemary and my own dreams and a game changing moment for the company. We are now in control of our destiny and have the capacity, variety and relationships to play our part in the continued revival of Irish whiskey which is one of this country’s great traditions.”
He added: “That we can do this in a place like Royal Oak which is blessed with an abundance of the best natural ingredients as well as being a place of beauty and tranquillity is idyllic. We look forward to sharing our whiskeys and Royal Oak with the world.”
Walsh Whiskey’s Irishman and Writers Tears brands are currently sold in 40 countries. In June the company signed a partnership agreement with Helsinki based drinks distributor Altia, to supply Nordic markets.
Posted by Steve Rush