Author: Anne -Marie Clarke

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is collaborating with Belfast TradFest to release an exclusive whiskey bottling to celebrate Ireland’s fastest growing festival of traditional music.

Dunville’s 1808 Belfast TradFest Irish Whiskey is a modern blend of malt, grain and pot still whiskeys from Dunville’s The Spirit of Belfast’, featuring a bespoke Belfast TradFest label.

Finished in Bourbon and Virgin American Oak casks, the limited release of 300 bottles at 46% abv will be available to purchase from Maddens Bar, The Garrick Bar, The Friend at Hand Whiskey Shop and online from The Echlinville Distillery from 21 July, priced £55. The whiskey can also be sampled by the glass, exclusively at Belfast TradFest’s Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Session Trail venues across the city from 21-28 July.

Séamus Óg Birt from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “As The Spirit of Belfast, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has been at the heart of this city since 1808, so we are delighted to partner with Belfast’s fastest growing cultural celebration with its first ever festival whiskey release.

“This whiskey is the latest release from Dunville’s 1808 Casked In Bond Series, which sees us collaborate with bars and specialist retailers on bespoke bottlings. Given Dunville’s and Belfast TradFest’s shared relationships with iconic venues across Belfast, it made perfect sense for us to work together to create this limited-edition whiskey.

“We are looking forward to an exciting week of traditional music, song and dance in bars across the city, particularly the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Session Trail which features over 70 trad sessions in seventeen of Belfast’s best loved pubs. Dunville’s 1808 Belfast TradFest Irish Whiskey release will be available to sample at all Session Trail venues and the Dunville’s team will be on hand throughout the week with whiskey tastings, cocktails, festival promotions and special serves in partnership with some of Belfast’s finest bars.

“Belfast TradFest is now in its sixth year, and each year it gets bigger and better, attracting performers and visitors from around the world. The festival showcases all that is great about our city, its people and our love of traditional music, song and dance. It is a true celebration of The Spirit of Belfast.

“Whether you are a seasoned musician, an aspiring performer or a casual listener, we invite everyone to come along and enjoy the Session Trail a with a dram of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey in hand.”

Speaking about the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Session Trail, Belfast TradFest Director Dónal O’Connor said: “Belfast TradFest 2024 will be an exhilarating week of concerts, masterclasses, sessions and summer school events bringing together some of the finest talents in the world of traditional arts. The Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Sesson Trail is central to the festival and sees Belfast’s finest traditional pubs and bars packed with musicians and revellers enjoying the fiery sessions.

These Céilí House style sessions are centuries-old traditional session style whereby people would gather at the home of a local master musician, who would start the evening with a skilful performance before inviting others to join in.

The Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Session Trail line-up features some of Ireland’s finest traditional performers. Sessions are two hours long, with the second hour providing the opportunity for aspiring musicians to join in. Each session promises great music, fantastic whiskey and Belfast’s famous hospitality. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer’s evening in the city.”

Dunville’s Irish Whisky is supporting the Friends of Irish Whiskey’s annual fundraiser with an Exclusive Single Cask bottling. All profits from the sale of Cask 1765 will go to charities supporting homeless people across Ireland – Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, Cork Penny Dinners and People’s Kitchen in Belfast.

The special bottling is a 12 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt at cask strength 58.6% abv. It will be available from The Echlinville Distillery from 1pm on Friday 15 December priced £135.

With notes of warm winter spices, stewed stone fruits, toasted nuts and chocolate oranges, Cask 1765 is full of Christmas flavour – the perfect whiskey for the festive period.

Ian Garratt from Friends of Irish Whiskey said: “We are delighted to partner with Dunville’s for our fourth year of fundraising and our second Friends of Irish Whiskey Capuchin Charity single cask bottling. Since 2020 we have raised more than €120,000 to support these amazing charities in their fight to end homelessness and poverty.

“The generosity of the Irish whiskey community never ceases to amaze me, and I know this year will be no different, with the money raised helping to provide much needed food, clothing and support for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

The first 100 bottles from this release will be sold alongside exclusive numbered prints of the bottle by Irish artists Francis Leavey and Orla Walsh. Bottle number one, together with both number one prints, will be auctioned as a complete set at Irish Whiskey Auctions in the New Year.

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “We are honoured to support Friends of Irish Whiskey in their efforts to raise vital funds to support homeless charities in Dublin, Cork and of course our home city of Belfast.

“This is our first 12 year old Palo Cortado cask strength expression, and it does not disappoint. In Cask 1765, our customer will receive an exceptional whiskey full of those warm winter spice flavours that are perfect for Christmas, while also supporting the invaluable work these amazing charities.”

Dunville’s Friends of Irish Whiskey, Capuchin Charity Bottling 2023, will be available from The Echlinville Distillery in-store and online.

The Errigle Inn, Belfast, is home to the latest Exclusive Single Cask Release from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey.

Dunville’s has collaborated with the iconic bar on the city’s Ormeau Road to release cask 1541 – a single cask bottling of 13 year old Irish Single Malt Whiskey with an exceptional Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask finish. Cask 1541 was selected personally by Phil McGurran of The Errigle Inn and bottled at cask strength for the best possible quality and flavour.

275 bottles at cask strength 55.7% abv will be available exclusively from The Errigle Inn on Saturday 25 November 2023 at a special introductory price of £150 per bottle.

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey and The Echlinville Distillery, said: “The Errigle Inn is one of Belfast’s oldest and best-known bars and is full of history, tradition and character. It is a proud part of city’s heritage and has stood the test of time, just like Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. It makes perfect sense for us to collaborate with Philip and his team this exclusive single cask from The Spirit of Belfast.

“With notes of ripe orchard fruits, stewed pears, dark stone fruits, spiced apple strudel and candied orange peel, cask 1541 boasts the big hitting PX sherry cask flavours that Dunville’s fans know and love, and the quality that they expect. The Single Cask Series is all about exceptional whiskey without compromise, with each cask selected from among the finest in our warehouses. Cask 1541 is a worthy addition to the series and will be right at home at The Errigle Inn.”

Phil McGurran from The Errigle Inn said:  “We have been really excited to work with the team at The Echlinville Distillery and Dunville’s Irish Whiskey to produce this fine whiskey. My father Philip G McGurran was approaching his 80th Birthday and we wanted to mark the occasion with a fitting tribute to his many years running The Errigle Inn, and his dedication to the licensed industry. 

“I know he is fond of a good whiskey and when asked what he would like for any special occasion he confirmed this.  He was really pleased and impressed with the whiskey when we presented it on the day of his 80th birthday.  I know that our customers will love this quality whiskey. We will take great pride to work with Dunville’s here at The Errigle Inn with this exceptional single cask release.”   

The Errigle Inn and Off License is located at 312-320 Ormeau Road, Belfast. For more information contact The Errigle Inn on +44 (0)28 90641410 or email [email protected]

James J Fox whiskey store, Dublin, is launching its latest exclusive single cask collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey.

Cask 1670 is a 21-Year-Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey finished in an exceptional Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask, selected from the Dunville’s warehouses by James J. Fox Managing Director, Yiorgos Manesis.

The latest release from Dunville’s Exclusive Single Cask Series is bottled at cask strength 53.8% abv, with 337 bottles available only from James J Fox Cigar and Whiskey Store on Dublin’s Grafton Street. It will be available in-store and online from 1pm on Tuesday 30 May 2023, priced €320.

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “We are delighted to collaborate with James J. Fox on this exclusive single cask bottling. This is our second release with James J Fox and follows the success of Palo Cortado Cask 1206. We are proud to continue our sherry cask journey together with this exceptional 21-Year-Old PX Cask. Cask 1670 is a worthy addition to Dunville’s Exclusive Single Cask Series and to the portfolio of one of Ireland’s most prestigious whiskey emporiums.”

Yiorgos Manesis, James J. Fox Managing Director, says: “It was a great pleasure to visit the Dunville’s warehouses again after the success of our previous collaboration, and to be given the opportunity to select another cask from their incredible inventory. In Cask 1670, we found an outstanding whiskey that we are proud to offer to our customers.”

Tasting Notes

Colour – Rich Amber

Nose – Initial notes of red apples, overripe pears and hazelnut brittle give way to a medley of your favourite dessert dishes; black forest gateau, lemon meringue, and pears stewed in red wine with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Palate – Sweet, syrupy, complex and juicy. A fresh fruit salad of nectarines, pomegranates and papayas evolves on the palate to raisins, dates, figs and dark cherries, all stewed down to a decadent dark fruit compote. Milk chocolate marble cake, apple sticky toffee pudding with calvados caramel sauce, and dark chocolate covered candied clementine oranges give body and depth, while structure and balance is provided by black tea, sweet sable grapes, clove, nutmeg and a hint of oak dryness.

Finish – Long, viscous and very satisfying. Dark fruit compote is front and centre. In the background black jack toffee apples, candied orange, light lemon chiffon pie and mascarpone vanilla cream dance around clean oak and warm winter spices, vying for your affections, before settling to a glorious equilibrium in the last lingering moments.

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has partnered with the world’s most iconic zombie gaming saga to create Dead Island 2 Dunville’s Irish Whiskey.

The limited edition release celebrates the launch of Dead Island 2, the hotly anticipated sequel to the hugely popular zombie slaying game from video game publisher Deep Silver.

Dead Island 2 Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is a modern blend of pot still, malt and grain whiskeys aged in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 40% abv. Boasting notes of buttery sweet vanilla, orchard fruits, baked biscuits, fresh lemon and a hint of char, it’s a versatile whiskey to be enjoyed neat, over ice or served tall with a mixer. The label features two of Dead Island 2’s zombie slaying characters and a unique glow-in-the-dark logo,

Plaion, Deep Silver and Dunville’s

Speaking about the release, Shane Braniff, Managing Director of The Echlinville Distillery and custodian of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, said:

“This step into the world of gaming is a very new venture for us, but one about which we are very excited. When we revived the historic Dunville’s Whiskey brand a decade ago, we did so with the aim of introducing it to a new generation of whiskey enthusiasts.

“This collaboration with Plaion and Deep Silver is an important step on that journey. Dead Island an incredibly popular and beloved video game franchises and is sure to bring Dunville’s to a whole new global audience.”

“It has been amazing to work with the Deep Silver team on this project. While our companies are from two very different worlds, we share the same values – commitment to excellence, dedication to perfecting our craft and a promise to be the best at what we do.

Shared Spirit

“Dunville’s Dead Island 2 Irish Whiskey represents our shared spirit of adventure, strength of character and uncompromising resilience, bringing the worlds of whiskey and gaming together in the most exciting way.

“Dunville’s is best known for its premium Irish whiskeys, which have won some of the industry’s top accolades, including the title of Ireland’s Best Whiskey. We are delighted to expand our portfolio further with Dead Island 2 and look forward to seeing it being enjoyed by whiskey fans and gamers alike.”

Dead Island 2

Dead Island 2 Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is available to pre-order now and will be released on 21^st April to coincide with the launch of Dead Island 2, which is set in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles which has been quarantined due to a zombie infestation. It is a thrilling first-person RPG that takes players across a brand-new playground. Stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection set in iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters, slay countless floes in exquisitely bloody detail and evolve to become the ultimate zombie slayer.

Dead Island 2 Dunville’s Irish Whiskey will be available from Echlinville and retailers around Europe RRP £50 / €55.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Initial burst of sweet vanilla leads to crisp orchard fruits, apples and pears. Then lemon curd, leading on to candied Lemon peel over notes of clean malt. 
• Palate: Soft and creamy mouthfeel, buttery, with ripened citrus and baked biscuit, coming together in a burst of fresh lemon meringue, followed by a wisp of char and white pepper.
• Finish: Slight hints of dry smoke linger and intertwine with the juicier fruit notes, carrying through to a finish of sweet spice.
• Colour: Rich deep amber
• Serve: Enjoy it your way. Neat, with water, on the rocks or with a mixer of your choice.

Dunville’s Dead Island 2 Irish Whiskey features a glow in the dark label

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is delighted to introduce three new additions to the multi-award-winning range of single malt whiskeys.

Each of the new Single Malt offerings boasts a superb sherry cask finish – further cementing Dunville’s as the home of exceptional sherry cask whiskeys. Dunville’s 10 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish, Dunville’s 20 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, and Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish join the Spirit of Belfast’s core line up alongside the existing 10 and 12 Year Old PX Sherry Cask Finish whiskeys.

Each of the new releases are bottled non-chill filtered at 46% abv. All are available to purchase at specialist retailers throughout Ireland and in-store and online at The Echlinville Distillery Shop

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said. “We are delighted to enhance our current core offering to include these three wonderful whiskeys. Since the revival of the the Spirit of Belfast in 2012, Dunville’s has continued to grow in both popularity and stature, with the Dunville’s name once more synonymous with exceptional sherry finished whiskeys. We are particularly pleased to introduce the older expressions into our range, with the 20 year old Oloroso and 21 year old Palo Cortado representing our oldest core releases to date.

“These new releases further build upon the Dunville’s repertoire for award winning Single Malts and Blends, with the new 20 Year Old Oloroso Sherry expression recently winning ‘Best Single Malt 16 Years and Older’ at the Irish Whiskey Awards, one of seven awards Echlinville picked up on the night.

“Perfectly showcasing the nuanced variance in flavour profiles imparted by the different types of sherry casks,  these whiskeys perfectly highlight the Dunville’s ethos of making whiskey without compromise.”

Dunville’s 10 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt

£69.95 46% abv

Light tropical notes, dried mango, apricots and stewed orchard fruits give way to toasted almonds, mocha coffee and banana bread. Then the Palo Cortado sherry casks make their quality known, with darker stone fruits, sultanas, figs and stewed plums, with a medium dryness and light hints of nutmeg and clove.

Dunville’s 20 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt

£189.95 46% abv                                                                                                             

Irish Whiskey Awards 2022 – Best Irish Single Malt 16 Years and Older – Winner.

The quality of the Oloroso casks takes centre stage. Balanced and complex, viscous, well-structured and restrained. Fresh red fruits give way to darker stewed fruits, prunes, dates and raisins. Candied orange peel, warm spiced ginger cake, toasted nuts, lead to a long mellowing finish of mulled fruits and vanilla chantilly cream.

Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt 

£194.95 46% abv

Full bodied, oily, and eloquent. The initial lighter fruits quickly give way to layers of stewed fruits, dark stone fruits, over ripe plum skins, with dark chocolate and toasted almonds. Layers of warm panettone bread and butter pudding, spiced with ginger and drizzled in candied orange syrup, figs, dates and a hint of oak all marry harmoniously over sublime aged base notes of sweet tobacco and warming winter spices.

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, The Spirit of Belfast, has picked up the coveted Whiskey of the Year title at the Irish Whiskey Awards with its single cask bottling of 21 year old Palo Cortado sherry cask finish whiskey being named Ireland’s best whiskey.

The overall award is one of seven wins for The Echlinville Distillery at Irish Whiskey’s most prestigious awards evening. Echlinville home to the iconic Dunville’s Irish Whiskey brand, which was the night’s biggest winner with five awards. Echlinville also picked up two additional accolades for Old Comber Whiskey and Bán Poitín.

Speaking about the distillery’s success, Jarlath Watson from Echlinville said:

“We are delighted with the news of seven major wins at the Irish Whiskey Awards and for Dunville’s to have secured the title of Whiskey of the Year – an accolade that further cements Dunville’s place among the world’s best whiskeys.

“These awards are particularly special to us as they are judged by members of whiskey clubs and societies the length and breadth of Ireland. It is an honour to be recognised by our friends and colleagues within the Irish whiskey family.

“The Irish Whiskey industry is the world’s fastest growing spirits category and has become hugely competitive in recent years. When you consider the high standard of whiskeys being produced all around Ireland, and the fact that the industry has long been dominated by major global brands, it is quite an achievement for an independent distillery like Echlinville to bring home seven awards, including the Overall Winner’s trophy.

Jarlath Watson, Echlinville Distillery

“These awards are testament to the hard work and commitment of our team and our industry partners. From new product launches to the relaunch and enhancement of our distillery visitor experience, it has been a busy year at Echlinville. With more new releases due in the coming months, including the launch of what is now officially Ireland’s Best Whiskey, we very much hope that our success will continue for the remainder of 2022 and beyond.

“Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask 1197, Whiskey of the Year, will be available before Christmas. Please keep an eye on our website and social media platforms for more details.”

The Spirit of Belfast

Established in Belfast in 1808 and originally produced at the Royal Irish Distilleries which stood on the city’s Grosvenor Road, Dunville’s was among the world’s most famous whiskeys until its untimely demise in 1936. The Echlinville Distillery revived the iconic Dunville’s brand ten years ago with the aim of restoring it to its former glory.

Speaking about Dunville’s Whiskey’s revival, Jarlath continued: “Dunville’s is a huge part of Belfast’s history and heritage. As custodians of the brand, we have been on a decade-long journey towards restoring The Spirit of Belfast to its rightful place among the world’s finest whiskeys. We aim to produce the finest spirit conceivable – whiskey without compromise. Being named Ireland’s Best Whiskey for 2022 is a huge endorsement of that ethos, and of the hard work, passion and commitment of our team in rebuilding Dunville’s and putting Belfast back on the world whiskey map.”

Global Recognition

Full list of the Echlinville Distillery’s wins at the Irish Whiskey Awards 2022:

• Overall Winner – Best Irish Whiskey of the Year – Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish, Cask 1197.
• Best Single Malt 11 Years & Younger – Dunville’s PX 10 Year Old Single Malt
• Best Single Malt 16 Years & Older – Dunville’s 20 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt
• Best Single Cask 12 Years & Older – Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish, Cask 1197
• Gold Medal – Single Cask 12 Years & Older – Dunville’s 20 Year Old PX Sherry Cask Finish, Temple Bar Cask 1651
• Gold Medal – Single Pot Still 11 Years & Younger – Old Comber Pot Still Irish Whiskey
• Gold Medal – Irish Poitín – Bán Poitín

We are delighted to introduce the latest release from the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Single Cask Series.

Dunville’s PX 12 Year Old Cask 1543 is a single cask bottling of 322 bottles of 12 year old Irish single malt whiskey finished in the finest Pedro Xeminez sherry casks. Bottled at cask strength 57.6% abv, Cask 1543 is a Distillery exclusive, available exclusively online and in-store at the Echlinville Distillery Shop on Friday 11 November.

Cask 1543 is the latest addition to Dunville’s renowned Single Cask Series. The series features limited edition bottlings from the finest casks of whiskey in the Dunville’s warehouses. Each cask is carefully selected and bottled at cask strength for the best possible quality and flavour, perfectly encompassing Dunville’s ethos of exceptional whiskey without compromise.

Cask 1543 will be available from 12.30pm on Friday 11 November online and in-store.

The Echlinville Distillery Shop is open 11am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday at 62 Gransha Road, Kircubbin, BT22 1HY. Click here for directions.

Discover the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Single Cask Series.

It wouldn’t be Belfast Whiskey Week without a special release from The Spirit of Belfast.

We are delighted to introduce Cask 162, the latest release from the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Single Cask Series.  

Cask 162 is a 20 Year Old Single Malt finished in an exquisite Oloroso Sherry Cask and bottled at Cask Strength 54% abv. It is released in celebration of Belfast Whiskey Week, Ireland’s largest whiskey festival.

This whiskey boasts notes of rich dried fruits, dark chocolate, wood spice, toffee apples, blackjack sweets and a dusting of nutmeg. It is limited to just 136 bottles priced at £245. It can be bought only in-store at The Echlinville Distillery Shop, limited to one bottle per customer.

Belfast Whiskey Week

As the original Spirit of Belfast, Dunville’s is proud to be a key partner in Belfast Whiskey Week and Cask 162 has been specially bottled for this year’s festival.

We were proud to unveil Cask 162 as the latest addition to our Single Cask Series at today’s Belfast Whiskey Week Distillery Day at Echlinville, where attendees had the opportunity to taste this exquisite whiskey during an exclusive cask strength tasting in the Dunville’s warehouse.

The Spirit of Belfast

Jarlath Watson from Echlinville and Dunville’s said: “Belfast was once at the heart of Ireland’s whiskey industry, so it’s fitting that Belfast Whiskey Week should bring focus back to a city whose association with the spirit has been somewhat forgotten over the years.

“By the end of the 19^th century, Ireland was producing around 14 million gallons of whiskey per year. A disproportionate amount of that was distilled in Belfast, and much of that by Dunville’s. Dunville’s employed hundreds of people, constructed housing for their workers on the aptly named Excise Street, Distillery Street and Dunville Street, built Belfast’s first public park – Dunville Park on the Falls Road. They even founded a football club, Distillery FC, which we are proud to still have links with today.

“Dunville’s legacy can be found throughout Belfast. This is our whiskey and our city, so we are proud to celebrate Belfast Whiskey Week by unveiling the latest release from our Single Cask Series. The series showcases the very best whiskeys from our warehouses, with each release helping put this city and Dunville’s Irish Whiskey firmly back on the world whiskey map.”

Jarlath Watson

*Please note, cask 162 is not available online and can only be purchased in-store and in person at The Echlinville Distillery Shop.

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has unveiled its latest Exclusive Single Cask release in collaboration with The Friend At Hand whiskey shop in Belfast.

Cask 2058 is a 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks. It has been bottled exclusively for The Friend At Hand.

The Single Cask release of 324 bottles at cask strength 53.8% abv will be available exclusively in-store at The Friend At Hand (Hill Street, Belfast) from 12 noon on Friday 6 May priced £275

Dunville’s Exclusive Single Cask Series features bespoke bottlings for key hospitality and retail venues. Cask 2058 has been carefully selected by Paul O’Hare from The Friend At Hand from among the finest casks in Dunville’s warehouses. It is Dunville’s first Single Cask collaboration with a Belfast based venue – a specialist whiskey shop that is synonymous with the city’s proud whiskey heritage.

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “We are delighted to release cask 2058 in partnership with Willie Jack and Paul O’Hare at The Friend At Hand. The Friend At Hand is one of Ireland’s finest whiskey emporiums and celebrates all that is great about Belfast’s distilling history, so it makes perfect sense for us to collaborate with them on this exclusive single cask bottling.

“Anyone who has visited The Friend At Hand or its sister venues The Harp Bar, The Duke of York or The Dark Horse will know that they feature some of the finest collections of Irish whiskey to be found anywhere in the country. Their walls are adorned with old Dunville’s memorabilia, celebrating Dunville’s as the original Spirit of Belfast and showcasing Belfast’s heyday as Ireland’s ‘whiskey city’.

Cask 2058 has been named The Friend At Hand ‘Grosvenor Reserve’ in homage to Belfast’s Grosvenor Road, which was home to The Royal Irish Distilleries – the birthplace of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey and one of the world’s largest whiskey producers. The distillery fell silent in 1936, but the brand was revived by The Echlinville Distillery almost 80 years later and has since earned its place at the forefront of Ireland’s whiskey renaissance with a reputation for exceptional blends, single malts and single casks which have won more than 40 global awards.

Paul O’Hare from The Friend At Hand, said: “As longstanding supporters of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey and The Echlinville Distillery, we are proud to add Cask 2058 Grosvenor Reserve to our collection at The Friend At Hand.

“In the 1800s, Dunville’s put Belfast firmly on the world whiskey map. Today, the Spirit of Belfast is introducing our city to a whole new generation of whiskey enthusiasts. We are delighted to be part of that story, bringing Dunville’s back to the heart Belfast in our shop at the centre of the city’s historic whiskey quarter.”

*Please note, this release is not available from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey or The Echlinville Distillery. Dunville’s Cask 2058 Grosvenor Reserve will be available from 12 noon on Friday 6 May exclusively from The Friend At Hand at 35-43 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2PB Tel: 028 9032 9969, Email [email protected]

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is adding a 20 year old Pedro Ximénez sherry cask finish to its acclaimed Single Cask Series.

Cask 1668 is limited to just 347 bottles at cask strength 53.9% abv. While Dunville’s is renowned for its PX sherry cask finish whiskeys, at 20 years old this is the oldest PX expression in the Spirit of Belfast’s award winning portfolio.

Cask 1668 will be available exclusively from our online shop at 1pm on Friday 11 March priced £239.50.

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “Dunville’s is known throughout the Irish whiskey community for its superb sherry cask finishes. The PX sherry cask finish, in particular, has become synonymous with The Spirit of Belfast. Our PX 12 Year Old Single Malt expressions are long standing fixture in both our core range and Single Cask Series. W are delighted to extend our PX offering with this 20 year old limited edition bottling.

“As with every whiskey in the Single Cask Series, this release has been selected from among the finest casks in our warehouses. The Single Cask Series is all about whiskey without compromise. Cask 1668 is a worthy addition to that family of exceptional whiskeys.”

Customer Queueing System

Due to the high volume of traffic expected on our website, anyone attempting to purchase this whiskey will be held in an online queue before being admitted to the online shop.

Once you are in the queue, please do not refresh your page or you may lose your place. Your personalised waiting room will automatically update to keep you informed of your queue position and estimated waiting time. We would ask for your patience while we try to deliver the best possible buying experience.

Purchases will be limited to a maximum of three bottles per customer.

International Shipping

Please note that there are some limitations on international shipping. Please check here for further information on international delivery or email [email protected] before 5pm on Thursday 10 March so we can advise further on worldwide shipping.

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is collaborating with James J. Fox, Grafton Street, Dublin, on an exclusive single cask bottling.

Cask 1206 was selected by James J. Fox Managing Director, Yiorgos Manesis, from among the finest casks in the Dunville’s warehouses, and approved by Eclinville’s Graeme Millar.

This 20 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey has been finished in a single Palo Cortado Sherry cask for 3 years and 9 months. It is bottled at cask strength 54.1% abv and limited to just 323 bottles. It is available exclusively from James J. Fox Dublin priced €320 (€288 for a limited time).

Dunville’s Exclusive Single Cask Series

Dunville’s Cask 1206 is the latest release from Dunville’s Exclusive Single Cask Series – a portfolio of bespoke bottlings by for selected retailers, hospitality venues and key trade partners. It showcases the best whiskeys from the Dunville’s Whiskey warehouses, with each bottled at its optimum strength for the best possible quality and flavour.

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “We are delighted to collaborate with James J. Fox on this exclusive single cask bottling. Cask 1206 perfectly encompasses the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey ethos of exceptional whiskey without compromise. It is a worthy addition to the Exclusive Single Cask Series and to the portfolio of one of Ireland’s most prestigious whiskey stores.”

Robert Fox, Chairman of James J. Fox, representing the fifth generation of his family to trade from this celebrated cigar and whiskey store, said: “It’s brilliant to be involved in the Irish Whiskey market at the moment. It’s in the middle of an extraordinary phase of evolution, with the selection of different whiskies being released increasing every year. It’s so exciting and so much fun to explore different casks and how they taste. Our single cask offering is a really important element of our whiskey portfolio, so we’re very grateful to the team in Echlinville for our collaboration. I think the whiskey is spectacular”.

Yiorgos Manesis, James J. Fox Managing Director, said: “It is an honour and a great pleasure to be given the opportunity to work with distilleries and whiskey bonders and choose some amazing whiskeys for our customers. We are very proud of these collaborations, and we are very excited about this Dunville’s 20 Year Old Single Cask release.”

James J. Fox, Dublin

James J. Fox have traded on 119 Grafton Street for five generations of the Fox Family since 1881. For 140 years, James J. Fox have been offering, to enthusiasts from Ireland and around the world, a range of the world’s most premium cigars and whiskeys through their iconic, now newly renovated store.

Tasting Notes

Appearance – Rich Amber

Nose – Initial notes of tropical fruits, dried mango, and apricots in syrup yield to richer darker fruits as the nose opens up. Stewed plums, dusted raisins and dried figs, laced with nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Then comes the show stoppers, sweet rolling tobacco, the old nostalgic kind, vintage leather furniture, and aged sherry, all held in splendid orchestra by the old musty dunnage oak.

Palate – Full bodied, waxy, oily, eloquent and luscious. This coats the mouth and doesn’t let go. An abundance of stewed fruits, dark stone fruits, over ripe plum skins, dark chocolate with a hint of chili. And then the nuts, roasted almonds, spiced banana bread laced with roasted hazelnuts, panettone bread and butter pudding, more figs, dates, and clove. And that elegant grace note of candied orange zest keeping those Christmas cake spices and wonderfully restrained wood tannins exquisitely balanced.

Finish – A hint of medium roast coffee beans turns to a light, warm tiramisu, and a whisper of hazelnut coffee cake. Then the quality of that Palo Cortado sherry cask really starts to dominate. Chocolate orange, light and dark stone fruits, sublime sweet tobacco and warming winter spices all held in perfect harmony by wonderful cedar and oak wood spice. And still that sweet tobacco.

Available from 1pm on Friday 1st October 2021 through James J. Fox, Grafton Street, Dublin and instore and online for €320 (€288 for a limited time).

*Please note this release is not available to purchase directly from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey or The Echlinville Distillery.

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is producing a series of bespoke single cask bottlings for key partners in the hospitality trade.

Exclusive Single Cask Series

The latest release from our Exclusive Single Cask Series is bottled for Celtic Whiskey Shop Dublin. Cask 1636 was selected by Celtic Whiskey Shop Managing Director and Owner Ally Alpine from among the finest casks in Dunville’s warehouses and approved by Graeme Millar from Echlinville, proud custodians of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey.

Medeira Cask Finish Whiskey

This 19 Year Old Single Malt is finished in a Madeira Cask and is the first Madeira Cask Finish whiskey in the Dunville’s portfolio. It is bottled at cask strength 53.2% abv and limited to just 298 bottles. It will be available exclusively from Celtic Whiskey Shop at 1pm on Thursday 26 August 2021 priced €299.

This is the Third edition in a series of bespoke bottlings by Dunville’s Irish Whiskey for selected retailers, hospitality venues and key trade partners.

Tasting Notes

Appearance – Amber with a tint of Rose Gold.

Nose – Full and complex, yet light and floral. Initial notes of orange syrup develop into ripe orange peel, butter toffee, and the toffee from sweet toffee popcorn, lightly toasted walnuts, a hint of candied lemon zest.

Palate – Freshly made sweet popcorn opens up to walnuts, hazelnuts in syrup, burnt caramel, and a light kiss of iced caramel vanilla latte. The summer fruits are there in abundance, cara cara oranges, Sicilian lemons, over ripe apricots, stewed peaches, think summer fruit salad served with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce. Thick, oily, syrupy and complex, this fills your mouth and doesn’t let go.

Finish – Warm orange and apple strudel, spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, dipped in toasted nuts and served with a vanilla crème anglaise, garnished with a solitary freshly picked mint leaf. Medium to long, finally giving way in a drying finale of clean malt, fine oak and dried citrus fruits.

To purchase Cask 1636 visit Celtic Whiskey Shop or call 0035316759744

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has been announced at a 2021/22 sponsor for Lisburn Distillery Football Club.

This is the sixth season that Dunville’s has sponsored the team, after The Echlinville Distillery rekindled a historic relationship between Dunville’s Whiskey and Distillery FC.

Shane Braniff said: “We are delighted to continue to support Lisburn Distillery Football Club in the 2021/22 season. As proud custodians of the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, we are proud to continue the relationship between Dunville’s and Distillery FC – a relationship that dates back to the club’s foundation 140 years ago by Dunville’s Whiskey employees.

“As we look forward to expanding the Dunville’s portfolio over the coming months, the season ahead is looking bright for Dunville’s Whiskey and, we hope too, for Lisburn Distillery FC. We wish everyone at the club the best of luck in the season ahead.”

Lisburn Distillery director Terry Thompson said: “I am delighted that a truly unique historical link carries on today and for the season ahead. Last year I wrote that Echlinville and Dunville’s would go on to win more awards and a  huge ‘Well Done’ to everyone on their recent successes and awards in California and Tokyo.

“We have all been very pleased, appreciative, and genuinely proud to have Dunvile’s Whiskey as our back-of-shirt sponsor. I am very pleased again on behalf of everyone here at the club to sincerely thank owner Shane Braniff and the team at Echlinville for their backing for the season ahead. It’s great that The Spirit of Belfast is very much with us.”

The remaining bottles of the Belfast Whiskey Week Festival Bottling of Dunville’s PX Cask Strength Irish Whiskey Cask 1330 will be allocated by ballot.

Anyone who had signed up for Belfast Whiskey Week should by now have received an email from the Belfast Whiskey Week team with details of how to enter the ballot. Please check your inbox and junk mail folders for the email. If you haven’t received it, please contact us or email [email protected]

Only those who had subscribed to the festival will be eligible to enter.

You must enter the ballot before 5pm Friday 20 August for an opportunity to secure a bottle. The ballot will take place on Monday 23 August and successful applicants will be contacted.

Thank you to all our customers for your patience while we have worked to decide how best to move forward with this release. We appreciate your continued support for The Spirit of Belfast.

The Echlinville Distillery has been celebrating County Down’s proud whiskey heritage by showcasing some of the areas most famous spirits during Belfast Whiskey Week. The final day of the festival will see series of events broadcast live from Echlinville to a global online audience tomorrow (Saturday 31 July).

Echlinville is a key partner in the week long programme of events showcasing the best of Irish and world whiskey. The highlights of Saturday’s programme include a tasting of the core range of Dunville’s Irish Whiskeys. There will also be an exclusive tasting of as yet unreleased casks from our warehouse, including new age statements and cask finishes.

The Spirit of Belfast

As custodians of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, the official Spirit of Belfast, we have a particularly close association with Belfast Whiskey Week. We are delighted to welcome the festival’s online audience to our distillery for the final day of the festival.

Belfast was once at the heart of Ireland’s whiskey industry, so Belfast Whiskey Week is bringing the focus of the Irish whiskey community back to a city whose association with the spirit has been somewhat forgotten over the years.

By the end of the 19^th century, Ireland was producing around 14 million gallons of whiskey per year. A disproportionate amount of that was distilled in Belfast, and much of that by Dunville’s. From street names to landmark buildings, Dunville’s legacy can be found throughout Belfast. This is our whiskey and our city, so we are proud to celebrate Belfast Whiskey Week by showcasing The Spirit of Belfast to whiskey enthusiasts around the world.

County Down Whiskeys

Belfast and County Down played a huge role in Ireland’s proud whiskey heritage. Two of Co. Down’s most famous whiskeys were Old Comber and Newry based Matt D’Arcys – both of which sadly fell victim to the collapse of the Irish whiskey industry. Both brands were recently revived by Echlinville, bringing three of Ireland’s most historic ‘lost’ whiskeys together under one roof.

Alongside Dunville’s, Old Comber Pot Still Whiskey and Matt D’Arcy Whiskey feature in the Belfast Whiskey Week Bonus Tasting Box.

Irish Whiskey Revival

Old brands like Dunville’s, Matt D’Arcy and Old Comber are hugely important to Ireland’s whiskey heritage. Throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries they built an industry that was the envy of the world. Now their revival is playing an important role in the resurgence of that industry. Belfast Whiskey Week provides the perfect platform to share these whiskeys and their story with audiences around the world.

Together with events like Belfast Whiskey Week, all of us at Echlinville look forward to putting Belfast and Co. Down area back on the world whiskey map.

Belfast Whiskey Week at Echlinville

The following tasting will be broadcast live from The Echlinville Distillery on Saturday 31 July 2021. Events can be viewed online via Belfast Whiskey Week by anyone who has purchased a Festival Pass. For more information on how to access events email [email protected]

2.00pm Highland Whisky

4.00pm Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Core Range

6.15pm Pre-1970 Irish Whiskey

8.30pm Echlinville Distillery Warehouse Tasting

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is celebrating Belfast Whiskey Week with the launch of a special festival bottling of PX Cask Strength Whiskey.

The Single Cask bottling is available exclusively to those with a Belfast Whiskey Week Festival Pass.

Dunville’s PX 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Irish Whiskey Cask 1330 was named Best Irish Single Cask Single Malt at this year’s World Whiskey Awards. Finished in Dunville’s signature Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, it is bottled at 57.2% abv.

This limited release of 352 bottles will be available exclusively to Belfast Whiskey Week Festival Pass holders. It will be on sale from The Echlinville Distillery online shop at 4pm on Monday 26 July 2021 priced £125 (link will go live then).

How to purchase

– This release can only be purchased with a Belfast Whiskey Week Festival Pass code.

– For your chance to purchase this Single Cask bottling you should click here to purchase a Belfast Whiskey Week Festival Pass from as little as £6.

– Anyone who purchases a pass will be sent an email from Belfast Whiskey Week confirming their Pass purchase.

– You will then receive a second email from Belfast Whiskey Week with your Dunville’s Cask 1330 purchase code, which you must use at checkout when purchasing this whiskey.

– If you have already signed up to a festival pass or tasting there is no need to purchase an additional pass. Belfast Whiskey Week will send you an email with your purchase code.

– Sales will go live at on The Echlinville Distillery Online Shop at 4pm on Monday 26 July (link will go live at that time).

– Please Note: Purchases will be limited to one bottle per customer. Bottles will be allocated on a first come first served basis. We can not guarantee that everyone who purchases a Festival Pass will secure a bottle.

Belfast Whiskey Week

Cask 1330 will feature in the Festival Bottlings Masterclass at Belfast Whiskey Week (Monday 26 July). Ireland’s largest whiskey festival features more than 90 whiskey tastings alongside a week long programme of entertainment livestreamed to audiences around the world

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “As the original Spirit of Belfast, Dunville’s is proud to be a key partner in Belfast Whiskey Week. Cask 1330 has been specially bottled for the festival. Named Ireland’s Best Single Cask at the World Whiskey Awards, it represents all that is great about our city and our whiskey.

“Cask 1330 is the latest release from the Dunville’s Single Cask Series which showcases the very best casks from our warehouses. PX Cask Strength is now a firm fixture in the Single Cask Series and has become synonymous with exceptional quality and that exquisitely intense sherry bomb flavour that Dunville’s customers know and love.

“The Echlinville Distillery has proudly supported Belfast Whiskey Week since it began in 2019, so when this particular cask was awarded Ireland’s Best Single Cask Whiskey, we decided it would be the ideal Exclusive Special Festival Bottling for Belfast Whiskey Week.”

Cask 1330 is one of a number of whiskeys from Dunville’s and The Echlinville Distillery to feature in this year’s Belfast Whiskey Week, which sees the Irish whiskey community come together like never before for an online celebration of Irish and world whiskeys. The festival programme also features tastings of current and as yet unreleased whiskeys from Dunville’s warehouses, which will be broadcast live from The Echlinville Distillery on Saturday 31 July.

The Spirit of Belfast

Jarlath continued: “Belfast was once at the heart of Ireland’s whiskey industry, so it’s fitting that Belfast Whiskey Week should bring focus back to a city whose association with the spirit has been somewhat forgotten over the years.

“By the end of the 19^th century, Ireland was producing around 14 million gallons of whiskey per year. A disproportionate amount of that was distilled in Belfast, and much of that by Dunville’s. Dunville’s employed hundreds of people, constructed housing for their workers on the aptly named Excise Street, Distillery Street and Dunville Street, built Belfast’s first public park – Dunville Park on the Falls Road – and even founded a football club, Distillery FC, which we are proud to still have links with today.

“Dunville’s legacy can be found throughout Belfast. This is our whiskey and our city, so we are proud to celebrate Belfast Whiskey Week by unveiling the latest release from our Single Cask Series, which showcases the very best whiskeys from the Dunville’s warehouse, with each release helping put this city and its spirit firmly back on the world whiskey map.”

Dunville’s PX Cask Strength 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey Cask 1330 will be available exclusively to customers with a Belfast Whiskey Week Festival Passfrom https://echlinville.com/shop/whiskey/dunvilles-px-12-cask-strength/ on Monday 26 July 2021 priced £125. Purchases will be limited to one bottle per customer.

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is collaborating with key partners within the trade to produce a series of bespoke single cask bottlings.

The latest release from the Exclusive Single Cask Series has been bottled for Carry Out Killarney. Cask 1699 was selected by Carry Out owner John Fleming from among the finest casks in the Dunville’s warehouses, and approved by Graeme Millar from The Echlinville Distillery, proud custodians of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey.

This 14 Year Old Single Malt is finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask, bottled at cask strength 57.7% abv and limited to just 337 bottles. It will be available exclusively from Carry Out Killarney at 11am on Saturday 10 July 2021 priced €185. Each customer will also receive a limited edition Glencairn whiskey tasting glass, specially commissioned to accompany this single cask release.

This bottling for Carry Out Killarney follows The Palace Bar’s 20 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish release and is the second in a series of bespoke bottlings by Dunville’s Irish Whiskey for selected retailers, hospitality venues and key trade partners.

To purchase Cask 1699 visit http://www.carryoutkillarney.ie/ or call 00353 (0) 646622588.

*Please note this release will not be available from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey or The Echlinville Distillery.