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Dunville’s Single Cask for Stitch & Weave

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is collaborating with Derry city venue Stitch & Weave for the latest release from its Exclusive Single Cask Series.

Cask 1782 is a 13 Year Old Irish Single Malt finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks. It has been bottled exclusively for Stitch & Weave bar and restaurant on Derry’s Ebrington Square.

The Single Cask release of 298 bottles at a cask strength of 58.3% ABV will be available exclusively from Stitch & Weave, in the bar and online, priced at £135.

Exclusive Single Cask

Dunville’s Exclusive Single Cask Series features bespoke bottlings for key hospitality and retail venues within the Irish Whiskey industry. 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.

Cask 1782 has been carefully selected by David and Sean McElhone from Stitch & Weave alongside Dunville’s Irish Whiskey’s Séamus Óg Birt and Head Blender Niall Bolger.

Séamus Óg Birt from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said “Having been involved in whiskey discussions with the McElhone family from before their bar had even opened and bearing witness to the launch and rise of the Stitch & Weave Whiskey Club over the past year, I cannot over emphasis how happy we are to collaborate with such a fitting partner for our latest single cask release.

“Their approach to the hospitality and whiskey offerings truly mirror the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey ethos of exceptional whiskey, made without compromise. Cask 1782 is a worthy addition to the Exclusive Single Cask Series and to the portfolio of one of Northern Ireland’s finest spirits purveyors.”

Collaboration

David McElhone from Stitch & Weave said: “We at Stitch & Weave are delighted to be releasing our first whiskey in collaboration with the award winning Dunvilles brand.

“We have always admired the great whiskeys the team at The Echlinville Distillery are releasing, especially the exclusive single cask releases, like our own. 

“When we created Stitch & Weave Whiskey Club, we knew we wanted to bring something unique to the people of this beautiful city and we are extremely proud to release this very special whiskey to be appreciated by the whiskey lovers in the maiden city and beyond.”

Cask 1782 is available from 12pm on Friday 29th November 2024 from Stitch & Weave priced £135. Buy in the bar or online at https://www.thestitchandweave.com/stitch-and-weave-whiskey

*Please note this release is not available to purchase directly from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey or The Echlinville Distillery and is not included in Echlinville’s Black Friday offers.

Tasting Notes

Nose – Toffee Apples, freshly baked apple and berry tart, plum compote, almond brittle and warming autumnal spices.

Palate – Thick and syrupy, cacao nibs, stewed orchard fruits and vanilla custard develop into warm apple tatin, spiced with cinnamon and clove, and a rich caramel glaze

Finish – Long, lingering and warming, dried dates, chocolate figs, red apple skins and café mocha give way to sweet rolling tobacco, vintage leather and cedarwood tones, over crystallised ginger, white pepper and seasonal nutmeg.

Dunville’s wins Ireland’s Best Whiskey

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 21 year old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Whiskey being named Ireland’s best whiskey.

The overall award is one of 11 wins for The Echlinville Distillery at Irish Whiskey’s most prestigious awards evening. Echlinville is home to the iconic Dunville’s Irish Whiskey brand. It was the biggest winner of the night, which saw the cream of Ireland’s whiskey industry celebrate the sector’s most successful brands and distilleries.

This is the second time Dunville’s has secured the title of Ireland’s Best Whiskey, having first won the top award in 2022.

Speaking about Echlinville’s success, Jarlath Watson from The Echlinville Distillery said:

“We are delighted with the news of eleven major wins at the Irish Whiskey Awards and for Dunville’s to have secured the title of Whiskey of the Year. This is a huge accolade that further cements Dunville’s place among the world’s best whiskeys and our place as the home of exceptional sherry cask finishes. To have won for the second time in three years is a phenomenal achievement and is testament to the hard work and commitment of the whole Echlinville team.

“Dunville’s Irish Whiskey was a global whiskey giant during its heyday in the 1800s and early 1900s, but by the mid twentieth century it had joined the list of Ireland’s ‘lost’ whiskeys. When we revived Dunville’s at The Echlinville Distillery, we felt a huge weight of responsibility as custodians of such an iconic brand.

“For more than a decade, we have been working hard to restore Dunville’s to its rightful place among the top tier of world whiskeys, by releasing exceptional whiskey, after exceptional whiskey, after exceptional whiskey. That has earned Dunville’s and Echlinville huge respect and an ever-increasing global following.

“This has been a huge year for The Echlinville Distillery, which saw the inaugural release of our single estate Echlinville Whiskey. As 2024 draws to a close with Irish whiskey’s top award, we look forward to next year with big plans for Dunville’s, Echlinville Whiskey and our Old Comber Pot Still Whiskey.”

Speaking about the importance of the Irish Whiskey Awards, Jarlath continued:

“The Irish Whiskey 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. It is peer recognition at the highest level, and that is invaluable.

“Irish distilleries are producing some of the best whiskeys in the world right now. When you consider the increasingly high standards within the sector, and the fact that the industry has long been dominated by major global brands, it is a massive achievement for an independent distillery like Echlinville to bring home eleven awards, including the Overall Winner’s trophy.”

Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Irish Whiskey is available to purchase from The Echlinville Distillery and from all good whiskey retailers.

The Irish Whiskey Awards bring to 132 the total number of global awards won by Echlinville since the first spirit trickled from its stills in 2013.

Full list of the Echlinville Distillery’s wins at the Irish Whiskey Awards 2024:

Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt – OVERALL WINNER: Whiskey Of The Year

Dunville’s 23 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish, Cask 1205 – WINNER: Best Irish Single Cask 12 Years & Older.

Dunville’s 22 Year Old PX Sherry Cask 1643 – WINNER: Best Cask Strength bottling.

Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt – WINNER: Best Irish Single Malt 16 Years & Older

Dunville’s 12 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish for Stories and Sips – WINNER: Best Irish Single Malt 12-15 Years.

Dunville’s 11 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish for Waterford Whiskey Society – WINNER: Best Irish Single Cask 11 Years & Younger.

Dunville’s PX 10 Year Old Single Malt – WINNER: Best Irish Single Malt 11 Years & Younger.

Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry – WINNER: Best Irish Blended Whiskey No Age Statement/Under 60 Euros.

Dunville’s 12 Year Old Port, PX and Moscatel Casks Finish for The Palace Bar – GOLD MEDAL – Best Irish Single Malt 12-15 Years.

Weavers Gin – GOLD MEDAL – Best Irish Gin

Weavers Vodka – GOLD MEDAL – Best Irish Vodka

Dunville’s 1808 Casked In Bond for Madden’s Bar Belfast

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has partnered with Madden’s Bar in Belfast for the latest release from its Dunville’s 1808 Casked In Bond series.

Dunville’s 1808 Madden’s Casked In Bond is a modern blend of pot still, malt and grain whiskeys. The limited release of 350 bottles was matured in ex-bourbon and virgin American oak casks for 6 years before being married for a further nine month finish in an Applewood Rye Cask. The bottle features a bespoke label featuring an illustration of Madden’s bar by Belfast based illustrator Cowfield Design.

It will be available from 7pm on Friday 1 November, exclusively from Madden’s Bar on Berry Street, Belfast, priced £55. There is also the opportunity to purchase along with a limited edition Dunville’s and Madden’s Bar hipflask for a combined price of £65.

Séamus Óg Birt from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “We are proud to partner with Madden’s Bar for the latest release from our Casked In Bond Series. Casked In Bond features our popular Dunville’s 1808 blend with a variety of experimental cask finishes, with each release bottled exclusively for one of our valued partners within the Irish Whiskey industry.

“Dunville’s Whiskey has adorned the shelves of Belfast bars for more than 200 years, and so we are delighted to partner with Madden’s Bar, who truly champion the traditional Belfast pub culture. A fitting collaboration with another institution embodying The Spirit of Belfast. Comhrá, Craic, Ceol agus Uisce Beatha.”

Brian McMullan from Madden’s Bar said: “With an ever growing whiskey collection and whiskey curious clientele, and a year under our belts of running a monthly whiskey club, we felt that Dunville’s were the perfect partner to work with on our first own release here in Madden’s Bar.

“We share the same pride in our city’s pub and distilling heritage, and a passion for ensuring that these traditions are kept alive for future generations. Tigh gan traidisiún, tigh gan anam.”

Dunville’s 1808 Casked in Bond for Madden’s Bar is available exclusively from Madden’s Bar, Berry Street, Belfast from 7PM on Friday 1 November 2024.

Nose – Fresh citrus fruit salad, apricot, pineapple, lychee, pomegranate, orange zest and freshly cut apples give way to Halloween toffee apples, pear drops, wild meadow honey and warming nutmeg

Palate – Creamy, balanced and rich, the toffee apple note develops into spiced apple crumble, Chantilly cream, salted almonds, cardamon, and just a hint of fresh cut green herbs.

Finish – It’s all about those applewood rye casks. Red apples, apple sours, red currents, vanilla pods, and muscovado sugar, give way to gorgeous warming cinnamon and gentle rye spice.

Dunville’s 1808 Casked in Bond for Celtic Whiskey Shop

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has partnered with Celtic Whiskey Shop to release an exclusive bottling from its Dunville’s 1808 Casked In Bond series.

Dunville’s 1808 Celtic Whiskey Shop Casked In Bond is a modern blend of Echlinville single malt and pot still whiskeys along with peated malt and grain whiskeys. The limited release of 405 bottles was matured in ex-bourbon casks for six years, then married for a further two years in Oloroso Sherry Casks. It is bottled at 46% abv.

It is available exclusively from Celtic Whiskey Shop & Wines On The Green on Dublin’s Dawson Street and online priced €65. It will be available to sample at their in-store Tasting Barrel from Monday 7 October.

Stephen Magennis, Head of Sales at Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “Dunville’s and The Echlinville Distillery have had a longstanding strong relationship with the team at Celtic Whiskey Shop, so we are delighted to partner with them on this latest release from our Casked In Bond Series.

“Casked In Bond is a series of limited edition Dunville’s 1808 Irish Whiskey bottlings, with a variety of experimental cask finishes. Each release is a collaboration between The Spirit of Belfast and partners across the hospitality industry.

“Celtic Whiskey Shop is one of Ireland’s best known whiskey emporiums and is a magnet for whiskey enthusiasts from around the world. The Celtic Whiskey Shop team have been long time supporters of Dunville’s and we have worked together on a number of successful releases from Dunville’s Single Cask Series. So it makes perfect sense for us to collaborate on this exclusive bottling of our award-winning Dunville’s 1808 whiskey.”

Stephen Magennis, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey

“The label features a drawing of their iconic Dawson Street store, which is familiar to whiskey fans around Ireland and further afield. As well as being a great tasting whiskey, it makes a nice collector’s piece for fans of Celtic Whiskey Shop & Wines On The Green.”

Ally Alpine, Owner of Celtic Whiskey Shop & Wines On The Green said:

“Working with the Echlinville team is always a pleasure as they produce some of the most outstanding sherry cask whiskies on the Irish market. The additional years our 1808 exclusive has spent in the Oloroso sherry casks has added an extra depth of flavour and roundness. On the nose this whiskey is rich with vanilla and pear notes while the palate offers a soft cinnamon and citrus spice, along with complex flavour of stewed winter fruits.”

Ally Alpine, Celtic Whiskey Shop
Dunville's 1808 Irish Whiskey Casked In Bond Exclusive Bottling for Celtic Whiskey Shop Dublin

Tasting Notes

Nose: Initial burst of sweet vanilla leads to crisp orchard fruits, apples and pears intertwined with nutty caramel, nougat and powerful butterscotch overtones.

Taste: The initial sweetness from the malt gives way to light citrus fruits, orange, lemon, green apples, pepper and clove. The wood spice and lovely oak tannins firm up this whiskey before the oloroso sherry casks take the final curtain 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.

Dunville’s 1808 Celtic Whiskey Shop Casked In Bond is available exclusively from Celtic Whiskey Shop online and in store.

Exclusive Single Cask for Stories & Sips Whiskey Club

We are delighted to introduce the latest release from the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Exclusive Single Cask Series – a cask strength bottling for Stories & Sips whiskey club.

Cask 1749 is a 12 year old double distilled single malt Irish Whiskey. It spent eight years in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels followed by four years in a Palo Cortado Sherry hogshead for that exceptional Dunville’s sherry cask finish.

This single cask release of just 288 bottles at 58.4% abv will launch on Monday 19 August (3pm Irish time/10am EST) priced $135 / €135 exclusively at Stories & Sips and available to Club members. Membership is open to whiskey fans around the world with worldwide shipping available.

This is our second Dunville’s Single Cask collaboration with Stories & Sips. Founded by Barry Chandler, Stories & Sips is an Irish whiskey club that brings people together via their shared love of Irish whiskey to enjoy great whiskey experiences such as tastings, exclusive bottlings, in-person and online events, sampler kits and cask programmes.

For all the information on our latest collaboration with Barry and Stories & Sips, and to purchase this limited edition release, visit storiesandsips.com and follow their social media.

Tasting Notes

Nose – Wood spices, marmalade, orange peel, grape, nutmeg, sweet tobacco, toffee apple, baking spices, caramel and a light red wine note

Palate – Rich, jammy dark fruits, creamy texture with a soft, tingling spice followed by a salted caramel finish

Overall – A very balanced single malt whiskey, with the sherry influence prominent but not overpowering the malt character.

Dunville's 12 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Irish Whiskey SIngle Cask for Stories and Sips Whisky club

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey celebrates Belfast TradFest with exclusive festival release

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.

Belfast TradFest Dunville's 1808

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.”

Echlinville unveils inaugural Single Estate Whiskey release

The Echlinville Distillery is launching Echlinville – The Beginning, the inaugural whiskey release from Ireland’s first Single Estate distillery.

Echlinville – The Beginning features two field-to-glass whiskeys distilled exclusively from barley grown, harvested and floor malted on the distillery farm. Every step of the production process – from mashing and fermenting the grains, to casking and maturing the spirit, to filling and labelling the bottles – has been completed on-site at the County Down distillery.  

This complete Single Estate story makes Echlinville – The Beginning unique among Irish whiskeys.

Echlinville The Beginning Single Malt and Pot Still Irish Whiskey with box - featured image

Single Pot Still and Single Malt

Echlinville – The Beginning features a pair of exceptional seven-year-old double distilled Pot Still and Single Malt whiskeys. The two bottle release is limited to 750 sets in a stunning presentation box. It will be available from The Echlinville Distillery and selected retailers from 11am on Saturday 1 June priced £350 RRP €395. Purchases are limited to two per person.

Echlinville became the first Single Estate farm distillery in Ireland when it began production in 2013. It was one of the first in a new wave of distilleries that led the beginning of the Irish whiskey renaissance.

Speaking about the launch, Echlinville owner Shane Braniff said:

“This is a momentous day for everyone at Echlinville as we unveil our inaugural Echlinville Single Estate Whiskey release. A whiskey that is inherent to our land. A whiskey that values provenance, community, tradition and authenticity.

Shane Braniff, Owner of The Echlinville Distillery

“For more than a decade we have been on this journey of creating whiskey that is rooted in this place we call home – the beautiful Ards Peninsula on the shores of Strangford Lough.

Echlinville – The Beginning is a reflection of everything that is great about this small corner of Ireland. The fertile soil, temperate micro-climate, saline air and the people who crafted these whiskeys from the ground up.

People, Place and Provenance

“The Ards Peninsula has long been regarded as one of the finest barley growing regions in Ireland. Local farmers would have historically supplied barley to Ards Maltings, which provided premium malt to some of the country’s biggest distilleries and breweries.

“The area has a proud, but sometimes forgotten, whiskey heritage. We are delighted to have revived lost traditions, restoring malting and distilling in the Ards Peninsula to create whiskey that once again has a true sensitivity to the place where it is made.

“Echlinville Whiskey has provenance, character and flavour that can be found nowhere else. This is a unique place with unique people and unique spirit. That is at the very heart of our Single Malt and Pot Still whiskeys.

“This release is the culmination of a decade of hard work, passion and perseverance by a dedicated team of people unwavering in their commitment to create a spirit from the ground up, rooted in locality and crafted with patience and authenticity.

“We believe in doing things the right way, not the easy way. We floor malt our barley by hand, as our whiskey forefathers would have done. We distil slowly, maximising copper contact to achieve a balance between complex character and delicate flavour. We dunnage mature our whiskey the traditional way on an earthen floor. This approach earned us a reputation for excellence and the respect of our friends and colleagues within the Irish whiskey family. We look forward to sharing this milestone with them.”

Echlinville – The Beginning

Patiently curated from a vatting of carefully selected seven to nine year old whiskeys distilled from barley grown, harvested, floor malted on the distillery farm.Single Pot Still Whiskey

Single Pot Still Whiskey

7 Years Old – Double Distilled – Bourbon Cask

With classic Pot Still body and spice, Echlinville’s inaugural Pot Still release showcases the distillery character. Sweet vanilla cream soda, fresh kiwi, papaya fruits and fragrant pine notes with menthol, leading to toasted almonds, ginger and warming white pepper spice, perfectly balanced and enveloped in luxurious mouth coating Pot Still creaminess.

Single Malt Whiskey

7 Years Old – Double Distilled – Bourbon Cask & Virgin American Oak Cask

Full bodied and bold, the first Single Malt release speaks of Echlinville’s distillate and its origin. Soft orchard fruits, fresh citrus, herbal notes and wild meadow honey. Then citrus fruits, peach, blood orange, red berry, latte coffee, chocolate and salted almonds, giving way to a finish of cedar, clove, tobacco, ginger and cinnamon spice.  

Echlinville – The Beginning is be available to purchase from The Echlinville Distillery and selected retailers including Celtic Whiskey Shop, James J. Fox Dublin, Carry Out Killarney, Green Acres of Wexford, Irish Malts and Weisshaus Shop.

Echlinville success at World Drinks Awards

The Echlinville Distillery is celebrating another successful sweep at the World Drinks Awards with 11 wins across three competitions.

Our whiskeys picked up a total of eight World Whiskies Awards, including five ‘Ireland’s Best’ Category Wins and three Silver Medals. There also ‘Ireland’s Best’ titles for Weavers Spirits in the World Gin Awards and World Vodka Awards.

The latest wins bring Echlinville’s total awards haul to 113 global accolades since our distillery was founded in 2013, and further cements our place at the forefront of Ireland’s spirits renaissance.

The full list of winners includes:

World Whiskies Awards

  • Old Comber Irish Whiskey – Ireland’ Best Blended Whiskey (No Age Statement)
  • Dunville’s PX 10 Year Old Single Malt – Ireland’s Best Single Malt 12 Years & Under – 10 Year Old PX Cask
  • Dunville’s 20 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish – Ireland’s Best Single Malt 13-20 Years
  • Dunville’s PX 10 Year Old Cask Strength – Ireland’s Best Small Batch Single Malt 12 Years & Under
  • Dunville’s PX 22 Year Old Cask Strength – Ireland’s Best Single Cask 21 Years & Over
  • Dunville’s 1808 – Silver Medal
  • Dunville’s PX 22 Year Old Single Malt – Silver Medal
  • Dunville’s 1808 Dick Mack’s East To West Honey & Hemp IPA Finish – Silver Medal

World Gin Awards

  • Weavers Gin – Ireland’s Best Classic Gin
  • Echlinville Gin – Silver Medal

World Vodka Awards

  • Weavers Vodka – Ireland’s Best Varietal Vodka

All of our ‘Ireland’s Best’ Category Winners will now go through to the global final at the World Drinks Awards, competing against other country winners for the title of World’s Best whiskey, gin or vodka.

Dunville’s and Friends of Irish Whiskey single cask for Capuchin Charity Fundraiser

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.

Exclusive Dunville’s bottling for The Errigle Inn

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]

Echlinville purchases Ards Maltings building

The Echlinville Distillery has secured the future of an historic building which was once one of Ireland’s largest malting houses, supplying malted barley to distilleries and breweries around Ireland.

With the support of Bank of Ireland UK, Echlinville has purchased the Ards Maltings building on the Portaferry Road just outside Newtownards, with a view to restoring the malting process on site and increasing their capacity to malt locally produced barley.

The £5 million investment means that Echlinville will be the only distillery in Ireland with the capacity to produce, malt, ferment and distil their spirit from field to glass, with local investment an important pillar of the business growth plans. While the distillery team currently floor malt their barley on the distillery farm, this latest development will enable Echlinville to malt barley on an industrial scale.

Photo Credit: Albert Bridge, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shane Braniff, owner of The Echlinville Distillery explains: “Echlinville was the first new distillery in Northern Ireland for more than 125 years when we received our licence and casked our first spirit back in 2013.  We’ve always been proud of our roots here in the Ards Peninsula and we complete every stage of the production process from the ground up on site at our distillery, from growing and harvesting the barley on our family farm, right through to hand labelling and bottling the finest spirits that we produce.

“Irish whiskey is the world’s fastest growing spirits category and locally we have a long history of quality whiskey production. The Ards Peninsula has historically been known as one of the finest grain growing regions in Ireland, so it’s no coincidence that Ards Maltings was established at the northern end of the Peninsula, malting barley from the surrounding farms and becoming one of the country’s largest malting houses.

“In its day, Ards Malting provided malted barley to distilleries and breweries around Ireland, including such companies as Guinness, Bushmills and Comber Distilleries – the home of Old Comber Whiskey, a brand that we revived and now produce at Echlinville. We are delighted to be able to bring that particular story full circle.”

Shane Braniff, The Echlinville Distillery

“Ards Maltings is among the Ards’ most iconic buildings, standing proudly on the Northern shore of Strangford Lough and welcoming people to the Peninsula. We are excited to be able to restore the building for the purpose for which it was first built while continuing on our journey to put County Down back on the world whiskey map. Our focus has always been on providing quality, exceptional flavour and instilling excellence from field to glass in the production of the finest quality spirits, and Ards Maltings will play an important role in the future growth of our business.

“The team at Bank of Ireland UK have been strong supporters of our business as it has grown over the years and take the time to understand our plans for business development offering support, guidance and the right financial products to support our ambitions.”

Echlinville’s Shane Braniff (centre) with Gavin North (left) and Niall Devlin (right) of Bank of Ireland UK.

Gavin North, Senior Business Manager at Bank of Ireland UK said: “Shane and the team at Echlinville Distillery have been quietly leading the regeneration of quality local whiskey production and their pursuit of excellence in every aspect is admired and recognised by the significant international awards they have achieved to date.

“We’re pleased to have provided the funding to support this next phase of their sustainable business plan and look forward to working closely with the team as they continue to achieve success locally and globally, placing Echlinville Distillery firmly on the internationally acclaimed whiskey tourism map.”

Dunville’s Single Cask for James J Fox

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 collaborates with global gaming franchise on Dead Island 2 Whiskey

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 21st 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 glow in the dark label

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

Ireland’s Whiskey Of the Year from Dunville’s

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has announced a release of its highly anticipated 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Finish Cask 1197, which was named Ireland’s Best Whiskey at the Irish Whiskey Awards.

Cask 1197 will be available to purchase from 1pm on Friday 24 February online and in store at The Echlinville Distillery priced £275. Purchases will be limited to one bottle per person.

Bottled at cask strength 53.2% abv, Cask 1197 is the latest release from the Dunville’s Single Cask Series, which features limited edition bottlings of the finest casks from Dunville’s warehouses.

Cask 1197 was the Overall Winner at the Irish Whiskey Awards in November 2022, earning it the coveted title of Ireland’s Best Whiskey. The top prize was one of seven accolades for The Spirit of Belfast at the Irish whiskey industry’s most prestigious awards evening.

Dunville’s also won Gold medals for it’s PX 10 Year Old and 20 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Single Malts. All three of Dunville’s Gold medal winning whiskies can now be enjoyed together in an exclusive gift set, which features 50ml miniature bottles of each whiskey alongside a Dunville’s branded Glencairn whiskey glass. The Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Award Winners gift set is available from Echlinville priced £75.

Dunville's Whiskey Cask 1197 and Irish Whiskey Award Winners

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said: “We are proud to offer for sale Dunville’s Cask 1197, Ireland’s Whiskey of the Year. While every release from our Single Cask Series is extraordinary, this one is particularly special as it has been judged by our colleagues and friends from within the industry and the wider Irish Whiskey community as being worthy of Irish whiskey’s highest honour.

“The Single Cask Series showcases the best whiskeys from our warehouses, bottled at cask strength for the best possible quality and flavour. We promise our customers exceptional whiskey, without compromise, and Cask 1197 certainly lives up to that ethos.

“Very well structured, waxy and rich. Honeydew melon, tropical fruits in syrup and pear drops give way to caramelised apricots, juicy overripe plums and spiced Chantilly cream.  Red apple skins, stewed stone fruits, and old dunnage oak give balance and structure while toasted nuts, warming winter spices and sweet tobacco tantalise then combine for a long, sweet and truly sublime finish”

Jarlath Watson, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey

“We are also delighted to unveil the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Award Winners gift box. Featuring three of our finest single malt whiskeys with Dunville’s trademark PX, Palo Cortado and Oloroso sherry cask finishes, this beautifully packaged set is the perfect way to enjoy some of the best that The Spirit of Belfast has to offer.”

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.

Echlinville wins 13 World Whiskies Awards

We are delighted to announce that The Echlinville Distillery has won thirteen accolades at this year’s World Whiskies Awards.

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey won a dozen prizes while Old Comber Whiskey was named among Ireland’s top pot still whiskeys.

The latest prizes come after we picked up a haul of titles at the recent Irish Whiskey Awards, where Dunville’s also secured the coveted overall winner title for Ireland’s Best Whiskey.

Dunville’s Whiskey

Speaking about the awards, Echlinville Distillery owner Shane Braniff said: “We are delighted with the news of thirteen wins at the World Whiskies Awards. The Irish whiskey industry is hugely competitive, and the standard of whiskey being produced gets better every year. To secure three category wins in the highly sought after single malt and single cask categories is a great achievement and testament to the hard work and commitment of our team.

“As proud custodians of the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey 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. Dunville’s has won significant prizes at the World Whiskies Awards every year since 2015. To win a further twelve accolades is another significant step on that journey, particularly after picking up the title of Ireland’s Best Whiskey at the recent Irish Whiskey Awards.

Old Comber

“We are equally delighted that our Old Comber Whiskey received a bronze medal, placing it among Ireland’s best pot still whiskeys. For Old Comber to take a podium spot alongside the industry’s biggest pot still brands on its debut at the World Whiskies Awards is a huge achievement.

“One of the original Irish whiskey giants, Old Comber was produced just a few miles from Echlinville at the Comber Distilleries which closed in 1953. We revived the brand in 2021 and are honoured to bring Old Comber back to its County Down homeland.

“Old brands like Dunville’s and Old Comber are integral to Ireland’s whiskey heritage. Throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, they build an industry that was the envy of the world. Their revival will play an important role in the resurgence of that industry. As the World Whiskies Awards show, Old Comber and Dunville’s are leading the Irish whiskey renaissance.”

Winning Whiskeys

Our winning entries at the World Whiskies Awards are:

The World Whiskies Award select, reward and promote the highest quality whiskies to consumers and trade across the globe. They are judged by an international panel of whiskey experts. Dunville’s three Category Winner whiskeys will now go on to compete for the ‘World’s Best’ title in their respective categories, the winners of which will be announced in London on 30th March.

A tribute to Greg McClelland

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague Greg McClelland.

An experienced and distinguished distiller, Greg was a valued and respected member of the Echlinville family. He will be sadly missed by all of us at the distillery and by all those who were fortunate enough know him. We will miss his kind smile, his friendly nature, his words of wisdom, his enthusiasm and attention to detail in everything he was involved in.

Our thoughts are very much with Greg’s beloved family. His wife Cheree, daughter Nadine, his parents, brother and all his family and friends.

We will raise a glass in your honour today, Greg. The angels have taken more than their fair share this time. You will always have a place in the hearts of everyone here at Echlinville. May you rest in peace.

*As a mark of respect, the distillery shop, café and walking trails will remain closed until Thursday 26 January.

Three new Sherry Cask finish whiskeys from Dunville’s

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 named Whiskey of the Year

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.”

Irish Whiskey Awards 2022_Echlinville Social Post

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

New release from Dunville’s Single Cask Series

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.

Introducing new walking trails and café

We are delighted to unveil the latest phase in our distillery’s development and the enhancement of our visitor experience with the addition of The Echlinville Pathways and Distiller’s Rest Café.

Visitors to Echlinville can enjoy the our acclaimed Tour & Tipple experience and take in the beauty of the historic Echlinville Estate thanks to newly constructed walking trails developed with support from Tourism Northern Ireland’s Experience Development Programme 2020-21.

Peter Rogan from The Echlinville Distillery said: “We are delighted to relaunch our popular Tour & Tipple experience and welcome visitors back to Echlinville to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and flavours of Ireland’s first farm distillery and the beauty of the Echlinville Estate and the surrounding area.

Distillery Tour and Tasting

“Our visitors hear all about our field-to-glass approach, which sees our whiskey and gin distilled from barley grown, harvested and malted on our distillery farm. We are one of very few distilleries to produce spirit from the ground up, and that is something we are hugely proud of.

“Our distillery tour also includes a visit to our whiskey maturation warehouse, where our casks of single malt and pot still whiskies are gently ageing to perfection. Our guests get an insight into the whiskey maturation process and the various casks we use to age and finish our spirit. Having worked up a thirst, the tour finishes with a choice of two drinks from our range of award-winning whiskeys, gins or poitín.

Walking Trails and Café

“We are also thrilled to unveil our new distillery and woodland walking trails – a network of paths that allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of the historic Echlinville Estate. The trails wind around the stunning Echlinville Manor House and through our barley fields with views of the beautiful stone bridge that crosses what was once the Echlinville Canal and Ireland’s oldest coral clad Folly – a stunning ornamental garden feature built in by the Echlin family in the eighteenth century as a statement of their wealth and status.

“With the opening of our new Distiller’s Rest Café, visitors are also welcome to call in for a coffee, a walk and browse through our distillery shop, regardless of whether or not they are partaking in a tour.”

Visit Strangford Lough and Ards Peninsula

Located near the shores of Strangford Lough, The Echlinville Distillery is just a one hour from Belfast and ten minutes from Portaferry and the scenic Strangford Lough ferry crossing. With the stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and several great restaurants within a short drive, a visit to Echlinville can be combined with local attractions for a wonderful day out in the Ards Peninsula.

Peter added: “In terms of tourism and hospitality, this little corner of Ireland has much to offer visitors from all around Ireland and beyond, and we at Echlinville are proud to be a part of it. We thank Tourism Northern Ireland for their support for this latest phase of our development and we look forward to working with them in future to continue to put Strangford Lough and the surrounding area on the global tourism map.”

Eimear Callaghan, Head of Programmes at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to support the newly constructed walking trails at Echlinville Distillery which will add another important dimension to the tour and tasting experience. The evolution of tourism experiences like this shows that innovation continues to be at the forefront of the development of the industry here. I have no doubt that this exciting addition will be central to the visitor experience in County Down, creating new and compelling reasons to visit the area.”

The Echlinville Distillery Tour and Tasting is priced at £20 per person and booking is advised. Book here or contact us to arrange a bespoke group experience. Distillery walking trails and Distiller’s Rest Café are open  from 10am-5pm Wednesday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.

Distillery Reserve for Belfast Whiskey Week

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 19th 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 exclusive single cask whiskey for The Friend At Hand

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’.

“Dunville’s Irish Whiskey is renowned for its exceptional sherry cask finishes, and Cask 2058 is no exception. With a first finish in Oloroso sherry hogshead and a second finish in an exceptional PX sherry cask, this whiskey boasts notes of candied orange, cherry pie, treacle, dark chocolate, fig syrup and spiced ginger cake and candied oranges. It’s a worthy addition to our Exclusive Single Cask portfolio.”

Jarlath Watson, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey

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]

Introducing Dunville’s PX 20 Cask Strength Irish Whiskey

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.

Weavers Gin named Ireland’s Best Classic Gin

Weavers Gin has won the title of Best Irish Classic Gin at the World Gin Awards.

Weavers Irish Gin is now in the running for the title of World’s Best Gin, the winner of which will be announced in late February.

The World Gin Awards select the very best gins from around the globe as judged by a panel of industry experts.

Weavers Gin is characterised by its distinctive yet versatile flavour profile, and we are delighted that this has been recognised by the World Gin Awards judging panel.

This is the latest accolade for Weavers Gin and its third World Gin Award, having won the same title in 2019 followed by a Gold Medal in 2020. It was also awarded a Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

As we continue to expand global sales and introduce Weavers Gin to gin enthusiasts and cocktail connoisseurs around the world, this latest award is testament to the commitment to quality and excellence that underpins everything we do here at Echlinville.

Weavers Gin boasts a citrus burst of pink grapefruit, lemon and lime, delicately balanced with sweet floral notes and a warming hint of pepper. Infused with Irish flax seeds, it is wonderfully smooth and lends itself perfectly to a classic G&T or gin cocktail.

Inspired by the world famous Irish linen industry, Weavers Gin pays homage to all things Irish linen. From the flax flower blue hue of the bottle, to the intricate design of the label and the inclusion of Irish flax seeds in its botanical blend, everything about Weavers Gin celebrates the timeless style, elegance and beauty of Irish linen.

Dunville’s releases 18 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has unveiled the latest release from its Single Cask Series – an 18 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey with an Oloroso Sherry Cask finish.

Cask 991 is the latest offering from The Spirit of Belfast and is bottled exclusively for Hi-Spirits Ireland. This whiskey is available from selected retailers and on-trade establishments across the country.

Selected from the finest casks in Dunville’s warehouses, this exceptional 18 Year Old Irish Single Malt is finished in an Oloroso Sherry Butt and bottled at cask strength 55% abv. This single cask bottling is limited to 661 bottles at RRP €275 and £240

Jarlath Watson from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey said:

“We are delighted to collaborate with Hi-Spirits Ireland on this exclusive single cask bottling. Cask 991 is the latest in a series of bespoke Dunville’s Whiskey bottlings for selected retailers, hospitality venues and key trade partners.”

Jarlath Watson, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey

“As with each and every expression from the Single Cask Series, this cask has been carefully selected and bottled at optimum strength to ensure the best possible quality and flavour. Boasting notes of stewed dark fruits and warming winter spices, this whiskey is full of indulgent Christmas flavours, perfect for the festive season. Encompassing Dunville’s ethos of exceptional whiskey without compromise, we are delighted to add Cask 991 to our Single Cask portfolio.”

Stockists include Carry Out Killarney, Celtic Whiskey Shop and James J Fox, Dublin. This release is not available directly from Dunville’s Irish Whiskey or The Echlinville Distillery.

Colour

Deep Amber

Nose

Massive notes of orange marmalade spiced with cloves and nutmeg, then stewed dark fruits, caramel chocolate, sweet tobacco and freshly baked cinnamon Danish pastries.

Palate

Gentle warming spices, clean malt barley, toasted nuts, a hint of cola cubes and warm Jamaican spiced ginger cake give way to a tidal wave of indulgent Christmas flavours. Sherry laden mince pies served hot. Figs, dates, dark cherries, marinated in winter spices and reduced to a mulled winter fruit compote, accompanied by sherry and vanilla Chantilly cream.

Finish

Luxurious and rich, warm spiced Christmas pudding, laced with burnt orange syrup, interlaced with hints of liquorice and black forest gateau, frothed latte and chilli infused dark chocolate finally give way to an eternity of those returning warming Christmas spices, dunnage oak and gorgeous, sweet tobacco.

Hi-Spirits to distribute Dunville’s Irish Whiskey in the UK

The Echlinville Distillery has announced a new distribution partnership with Hi-Spirits, which will see an increased presence for the our Dunville’s Irish Whiskey brand in the UK market, creating a significant boost for Dunville’s presence across the on and off-trade.

An independent, family-owned distillery, Echlinville has been at the forefront of Ireland’s spirits renaissance and is home to a portfolio of award-winning whiskey. Dunville’s Irish Whiskey in particular has gained a global following. The ‘Spirit of Belfast’ is held in high esteem throughout the whiskey industry for its premium and super premium single malts and vintage blends.

Echlinville Distillery owner Shane Braniff said:

“We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunities it will present for both The Echlinville Distillery, Dunville’s Irish Whiskey and Hi-Spirits. Our combined expertise, passion and commitment to quality will provide the momentum for the next phase of Echlinville’s growth.’’

Shane Braniff, Echlinville Distillery

“The agreement will see our Dunville’s Irish Whiskey range take its place among Hi-Spirits’ impressive portfolio. We look forward to working with the Hi-Spirits team to introduce our award-winning whiskeys to an increasing number of trade and retail partners and grow our presence in the UK market. ‘’

“From our Dunville’s 1808 blend, the iconic Dunville’s PX Single Malt, to the limited-edition bottlings from the Single Cask Series, we look forward to sharing The Spirit of Belfast with whiskey enthusiasts across the UK.”

Laura Edwards from Hi-Spirits UK said:

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Echlinville Distillery brands, that have earned a strong reputation for innovation, versatility and quality with both the trade and consumers alike.  The attention to quality in both liquid and exceptional branding ensures Dunville’s will make a strong addition to our Irish Whiskey portfolio. With an outstanding marketing and engagement plan, we are excited for the future of these brands and all of the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Laura Edwards, Hi-Spirits UK

Hi-Spirits

Hi-Spirits is one of the UK’s leading spirit distributors with a diverse portfolio of award-winning brands. Hi-Spirits is part of the Sazerac Company portfolio. Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers, with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com

If brand information from the sales team is needed, please contact a Hi Spirits representative at [email protected]

Double win for Dunville’s at Irish Whiskey Awards

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey has picked up two accolades at this year’s Irish Whiskey Awards.

Dunville’s 12 Year Old PX Cask Strength Irish Whiskey was named Best Cask Strength Whiskey while our 18 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish won Gold in the Single Cask category and came a very close second place in the competition for overall Best Irish Whiskey award.

The awards are the latest in a series of accolades for Dunville’s, which has seen The Spirit of Belfast gather 31 international prizes since the historic Belfast whiskey brand was revived by The Echlinville Distillery in 2012.

The Irish Whiskey Awards awards are particularly special as they are judged by members of whiskey clubs and societies the length and breadth of Ireland, so it is an honour to be recognised by our friends and colleagues within the Irish whiskey family.

Both award winning whiskeys are from the Dunville’s Single Cask Series. The Single Cask Series features limited edition single cask bottlings showcasing the very best whiskeys from the Dunville’s warehouses. With each cask carefully selected, the series features exceptional Irish whiskey, uncompromised and bottled at its optimum strength for the best possible quality and flavour.

Notice to contractors

Applications are invited from Contractors, under the terms of the NEC3 Short Contract, who wish to be considered for inclusion on a Select List for the following project: The Echlinville Distillery, Kircubbin.

A shortlist of EO’s will be compiled (Randomly Generated if over six Applicants) and invited to submit bids for the project. The works will fall into the following Constructionline Category: Sector:

Civil Engineering – Landscaping/Sports Category: Landscaping for a period of 3 months and will commence not before 3rd January 2022.

The estimated cost of the project is £208,000 excluding VAT.

Further details are included in the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire Package (PQQP) which will be issued on receipt of a formal request by e-mail quoting TPDF\100086 to the address below.

The latest date for receipt of your submission and any other additional information requested at the address below is 10th November 2021.

Andrew Bunbury (Landscape Architect)

Park Hood (Chartered Landscape Architects)

Hawarden House, 163 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3HZ

[email protected]

Dunville’s Whiskey exclusive for James J. Fox, Dublin

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.

Weavers Gin bottle shortlisted for design award

We are delighted to announce that our Weavers Gin bottle has been shortlisted for the UK Packaging Awards 2021.

If you have ever seen this beautiful blue bottle, this news may not come as a surprise. We might be biased, but we do think it is one of the most beautiful gin bottles out there. It seems the people at the UK Packaging Awards agree.

With the gin market booming, there is an ever-increasing number of gins competing for space and attention on back bars and retailers’ shelves. When it comes to attracting potential customers, the design of the bottle can be just as important as the liquid inside. But when you browse the gin offerings in your favourite cocktail bar or local off sales, have you ever wondered about the story behind the bottle?

The story behind the bottle

Weavers Gin is inspired by the linen industry in Ulster and Ireland as a whole. For more than three centuries, linen was Ireland’s most important industry. Belfast, in particular, was a huge centre for linen production. In fact, it was Belfast’s biggest industry – bigger than ship building or whiskey.

From the botanicals used in distillation, to the bespoke glass design and the label on the bottle, Weavers Gin is a celebration of that proud linen heritage.

Irish linen

Irish linen was famous around the world. It adorned the tables of royalty, graced the dressing rooms of the rich and famous. It even coated the wings of the first airplanes or ‘bi-planes’ and helped some of the first aviators take to the skies, including the Royal Flying Corps in World War One.

Linen production was spread across the whole country, from the cities to the most rural parts of Ireland. While the towns were home to scores of linen mills and factories, the countryside would have been filled with flax fields growing the raw materials for the industry. Bleaching greens were also a common sight, where huge sheets of newly woven linen were laid out in the fields to lighten dry in the summer sun.

Weavers Irish Gin is crafted in honour of the thousands of men and women who laboured in the linen mills and toiled in the flax fields to make Irish linen the envy of the world. Infused with Irish flax seeds for extra smoothness, Weavers Gin is as crisp, cool and clean as the linen it is inspired by.

Bottle colour

This isn’t just another blue gin bottle. The Weavers bottle is flax flower blue. Flax is the raw material for the linen industry. Back in Ireland’s linen heyday, the countryside would have been blue with the colour of the flax flowers blooming in the fields. That pure, gentle blue is captured beautifully in the blue hue of the glass used to make the Weavers Gin bottle.

Bottle design

The first thing you may notice when you pick up a bottle of Weavers Gin (apart from how beautiful it is), is that it is quite heavy. This immediately gives the impression of a premium, quality product. We wanted the bottle to look and feel strong. The size, shape and weight of the bottle reflect the strength and stature of the linen industry, which was once the biggest industry in Ulster – bigger than ship building or whiskey, for which Ulster and Belfast are perhaps most famous.

The bespoke bottle design incorporates a few nods to Ireland’s linen industry. In particular, the vertical lines that decorate the Weavers Gin bottle are reminiscent of the rows of flax plants that would have grown in fields up and down the country. Flax is a ‘row crop’, planted in straight lines, and so we have incorporated this into the bottle design.

The words ‘Excellence Instilled’ can be found at the bottom of the Weavers Gin bottle. It is a trademark of The Echlinville Distillery and reflects our ethos of pursuing excellence at every stage of the production process, from field to glass.

The label

The colours in the label are primarily blue, to reflect the flax flowers and linen production’s agricultural roots, and silver to reflect the industrial element of linen production and the technology used in the mills and factories around Ireland. Indeed, at the top of the label we have placed a blue flax flower within the silver cogs of industry.

The Weavers Gin label is beautifully intricate to reflect the craftsmanship and craftswomanship involved in fine linen production. The decorative swirls on the outer four corners of the label is a reproduction of the damask design on the linen tablecloths on the Titanic.

So that is the story of Weavers Gin. The stunning liquid and beautiful bottle – both as crisp, cool and clean as the linen they are inspired by.

Our thanks to our colleagues at Stoelzle Glass Group, Mark Thompson Design and Reflex Labels for helping us create this stunning bottle.

Dunville’s exclusive single cask for Celtic Whiskey Shop

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 Whiskey continues historic partnership with Distillery FC

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.”

Ballot for Dunville’s PX Cask Strength 1330

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.

Echlinville welcomes Belfast Whiskey Week

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 19th 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 PX Cask Strength release for Belfast Whiskey Week

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 19th 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 Exclusive Single Cask for Carry Out Killarney

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.

Job Opportunity for Executive Assistant

We are searching for an Executive Assistant to join our busy team. Applicants should send their CV to [email protected] before 5pm on Wednesday 21 July 2021.

Duties Include

Dealing with correspondence, emails and phone calls.

Diary management.

Organising meetings and appointment.

Arranging and booking travel, transport and accommodation.

Typing, preparing documents, presentations and correspondence.

Keeping minutes of meetings.

Filing and document management.

Liaising with staff, suppliers, customers and other business partners.

Assisting with the organisation of events.

Arranging catering and hospitality for meetings.

Miscellaneous tasks as required.

Person Specification

Executive Assistant experience preferred / essential.

Confident and assertive individual, good sense of humour.

Organised and efficient, able to multi-task.

Happy to take on an array of tasks.

Discretion and trustworthiness.

Flexibility and adaptability.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Tact and diplomacy.

Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Additional Information

Location – Kircubbin, Co. Down

Part-time initially

Salary based on experience

To apply please send your CV to [email protected] by Wednesday 21st July 2021 at 5pm. The Echlinville Distillery is an equal opportunities employer.

A Strangford Lough Staycation

The Echlinville Distillery is located on the Ards Peninsula near the shores of Strangford Lough. We consider ourselves very lucky to call this place home. With stunning landscapes, fabulous food and lots to do for all the family, it’s the perfect place for a Northern Ireland staycation.

What can you expect from a visit to Strangford Lough?

In this part of the world, we take pride in taking it slow. From pace of life, to food and entertainment, we find strength in simplicity. Away from the crowds, Strangford Lough is the perfect place to relax, unwind and leave your stresses behind.

Just 30 minutes from Belfast and 90 minutes from Dublin, you will find water teeming with wildlife, hills piled high with 9,000 years of history, holy wells and ancient abbeys. Strangford Lough is an internationally recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Area of Special Scientific Interest. One of the most richly bio-diverse regions in Europe, it’s no wonder there’s an unmistakable tranquility to the place we call home.

Visitor Experiences

Here are just some of the amazing visitor experiences on offer on and around Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula.

  • Spend the day kayaking on Strangford Lough with Mobile Team Adventure before stopping off on one of the lough’s hundreds of islands to cook and enjoy some freshly caught mussels.
  • Bake your own traditional Northern Ireland breads on the griddle in a 17th century farmhouse at Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen.
  • Discover our unique landscape, heritage and people on a guided walking tour with Sustainable Journey’s Ireland.
  • Pour the perfect pint of Guinness, learn a cúpla focal in the Irish language or try Irish dancing at Denvir’s of Downpatrick.
  • Enjoy an underwater adventure, meet the crocodile, penguins, otters and more at Exploris, Northern Ireland’s only aquarium. Feed the rescued seals at the Seal Sanctuary and even help release one back in to the wild .
  • Discover the best local sights and artisan food and drink producers on the Strangford Lough Tasting Tour with Indie Fude.
  • From architecture to the United Irishmen, discover the timeline of the Ards Peninsula or enjoy a concert or comedy gig at The Portico.
  • Escape the stress of daily life and try your hand at bushcraft, forraging and wild cooking at the beautiful Finnebrogue Woods.  
  • Enjoy seasonal local produce, a friendly welcome and a room with a view to enjoy sunset over Strangford Lough at the Portaferry Hotel.
  • Get up close to Ireland’s largest collection of native and exotic water birds, ducks and geese at Castle Espie.
  • Enjoy an exquisite dining experience at the home of the Game of Thrones door at The Cuan.
  • Walk through the ruins of a 12th century Cistercian Abbey, the only Abbey in Ireland founded by a woman and the first example of Gothic architecture on the island, at Grey Abbey.
  • Immerse yourself in the legacy of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s Patron Saint, at The Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick.

And remember to pay us a visit at The Echlinville Distillery. Enjoy our distillery Tour & Tipple or visit our distillery shop.

Matt D’Arcy Old Irish Whiskey joins Echlinville portfolio

We are delighted to welcome the historic Matt D’Arcy Irish Whiskey brand to Echlinville’s portfolio of award-winning whiskeys.

The Echlinville Distillery and Newry based Matt D’Arcy & Co Limited have forged an alliance that will see Echlinville mature, bottle and market Matt D’Arcy’s Old Irish Whiskey and grow the brand in the global Irish whiskey market.

Famous Newry Whiskey

Founded in Newry, Co. Down in 1817, Matt. D’Arcy’s was revived by Newry man Michael McKeown in 2020. It is the latest heritage whiskey brand to join the Echlinville line up.

Matt D’Arcy’s will sit alongside our award winning Dunville’s Irish Whiskey range and the recently restored Old Comber Pot Still Irish Whiskey. The move sees three of Ireland’s most historic ‘lost’ whiskey brands brought under Echlinville’s guardianship.

Echlinville Distillery owner Shane Braniff said, “We are delighted to welcome Matt D’Arcy’s into the Echlinville family and we look forward to sharing the story and celebrating the legacy of this proud Co. Down whiskey with our customers around the world.

“I have long had a passion for old Irish whiskey brands, particularly those from Co. Down, so I have followed with interest the revival of Matt D’Arcy Irish Whiskey over the past few years.

“At Echlinville, we know from first-hand experience the hard work, passion and dedication that goes in to restoring a historic name like Matt D’Arcy’s, and in doing so in a way that respects and celebrates the brand’s proud heritage. I congratulate Michael McKeown and his team at Matt D’Arcy & Co. Ltd in Newry for everything they have done to bring back this historic whiskey and we welcome Michael’s continued input into the future of the brand about which he is hugely passionate. We have also offered Michael our technical support as he pursues the redevelopment of the Old Distillery site in Newry in line with his vision to restore distilling to the city where Matt D’Arcy Whiskey was born.”

Shane Braniff, Echlinville Distillery

“Michael has written a wonderful book telling the great story of Matt D’Arcy and old Newry whiskeys. The book will be available from our Distillery shop alongside Matt D’Arcy’s Whiskey. The spirit and presentation of Matt D’Arcy’s Irish Whiskey are exceptional and it will make a worthy addition to the Echlinville portfolio.”

Irish Whiskey Heritage

Echlinville are proud custodians of the iconic Dunville’s Irish Whiskey brand and recently revived the famous Old Comber Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Speaking about the role of heritage brands in the Irish whiskey sector, Shane continued: “These old Irish whiskey brands are hugely important. Throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries they built an industry that was the envy of the world, and now their revival is playing an important role in the resurgence of that industry. In our view, names like Matt D’Arcy, Dunville’s and Old Comber deserve to be part of the Irish whiskey renaissance.”

Matt D’Arcy & Co. Newry

Michael McKeown owner of Matt D’Arcy & Co. Ltd. said: “Having grown up in the production and selling of alcoholic drinks, I have the greatest respect for Shane Braniff at Echlinville, whose passion and enthusiasm for Irish whiskey heritage matches my own.

“Echlinville’s brands are now widely sold across Ireland, Europe and the rest of the world. When Shane offered to bring Matt D’Arcy’s along the path to international recognition, I was only too happy to entrust the brand into his care and I look forward to seeing it grow on the worldwide whiskey stage.

“The high cost of breaking into foreign markets is the biggest barrier to a small producer like Matt D’Arcy’s. Collaborating with an established player such as Echlinville will propel the brand towards future growth.

“With this boost to our fortunes where Echlinville creates markets for the D’Arcy brand, we can turn our resources to developing the ‘Old Distillery’ site in Monaghan Street, Newry. Having acquired, in October 2020, the adjoining property at Corry Square, a revised application has been submitted to Building Control and the result is awaited before drawing up and issuing final tendering documentation.”

Shane Braniff concluded: “Michael McKeown’s passion for Matt D’Arcy, Irish whiskey and the city of Newry is palpable. All of us at Echlinville and Matt D’Arcy share the same sense of pride in our Co. Down roots and the role this part of the world played in Ireland’s proud whiskey heritage. With Matt D’Arcy, Dunville’s and Old Comber now under Echlinville’s guardianship, we look forward to putting Co. Down back on the world whiskey map.”

Matt D’Arcy’s Irish Whiskey is coming soon to The Echlinville Distillery online shop. For trade sales inquiries please contact [email protected]

Old Comber Whiskey revived

We are proud to announce the revival of the famous Old Comber Irish Whiskey brand after a near 70 year absence.

One of the original Irish whiskey giants, Old Comber Whiskey was founded in 1825 and produced at the Comber Distilleries, which were located just ten miles from where Echlinville now stands.

Comber Distilleries fell silent in 1953 and Old Comber joined the list of Ireland’s lost whiskeys. In testament to our continued commitment to put Co. Down back on the world whiskey map, we are unveiling our first release of Old Comber Irish Pot Still Whiskey – a pot still blend finished in Ruby Port casks and bottled at 46% abv and retailing at £45 RRP.

County Down roots

Old Comber was one of Ireland’s most celebrated whiskey brands. Famed for more than a century for its quality and bold flavour, its loss was lamented by whiskey enthusiasts around the world.

Anyone who knows Echlinville will know that we are incredibly proud of our roots. From rolling barley fields to huge malting houses and one of the largest distilleries in Ireland, County Down and the area around Strangford Lough in particular, has a strong whiskey heritage. Comber and its distilleries was widely regarded as the home of double distilled pot still whiskey.

We are honoured to bring Old Comber Whiskey back to its County Down homeland. In homage to the brand’s origins, our first release is a premium blend of pot still whiskeys, predominantly double distilled here at Echlinville, just ten miles from where the Comber Distilleries once stood.

Finish and flavour

Old Comber was renowned for its port and sherry cask finishes. In honour of that tradition, this new release has been aged in American Oak and Bourbon casks in the Echlinville warehouse and finished in the finest Ruby Port casks.

Deep amber in colour, this whiskey boasts notes of fresh vanilla pods, toffee apples and Battenburg cake on the nose. On the palate, a creamy pot still mouthfeel with treacle toffee, apple tarte tatin spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, opening up to rosewater, raspberries and cream. Those toffee and spice notes continue through to a medium finish with pecan nuts fading out to mellow oak tannins and sweet spice in its final notes. This limited release stays true to the Old Comber name and marks a new chapter in the story of Old Comber, Echlinville and the ongoing Irish whiskey revival.

Old Comber and Dunville’s

At Echlinville we are also custodians of the famous Dunville’s Irish Whiskey brand. Another giant of Irish whiskey history, we revived Dunville’s in 2012 and have gone on to restore it to its rightful place among the world’s best whiskeys.

This corner of Ireland has a great story to tell in terms of its role in Ireland’s whiskey heritage. If Dunville’s was The Spirit of Belfast then Old Comber, one of its closest whiskey neighbours, was the spirit of County Down. In fact, both brands featured in BBC2’s recent Whiskey Talkin’ programme, which explored the history of Irish whiskey, the Dunville’s return and our collaboration with Fionnán O’Connor to recreate the original Old Comber mash bill – a whiskey that we hope to release when it reaches the seven year mark.

These old brands are hugely important. Throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, they built an industry that was the envy of the world. Their revival will play an important part in the resurgence of that industry. In our view, names like Dunville’s and Old Comber deserve to be part of the Irish whiskey renaissance.

Dunville’s and Old Comber dominated whiskey production in the north of Ireland, but they had much more in common than huge distilleries and vast warehouses. In 1872 James Bruce was a director in Dunville’s and his brother Samuel Bruce, whose initials feature on the Old Comber bottle, was the owner of Comber Distilleries. We like to think that in reviving both historic brands, we are not only restoring a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s distilling history but are in some way reuniting the Bruce brothers, at least in spirit.

Echlinville Distillery to expand with £9m investment and 36 jobs

European Regional Development Fund logo

Echlinville Distillery Ltd is in receipt of SFA Capital and Development support from Invest NI for Selective Financial Assistance  – Distillery Expansion Project 2019.  This project which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020 aims to increase production capacity and grow Irish whiskey and gin brands globally.

The Echlinville Distillery is to invest over £9million and create 36 new jobs as it expands with the help of funding from Invest Northern Ireland.

The distillery plans to increase production capacity and grow its Irish whiskey and gin brands globally.

Invest Northern Ireland’s CEO, Kevin Holland said: “Since establishing in 2012, Echlinville has developed a number of well-established brands which are making their mark on the international whiskey and gin market. This investment will enable it to grow further and develop its portfolio of award winning spirits. With an emphasis on brand development, it will also drive growth in global sales of its premium and ultra-premium Irish whiskey and gin.

“The investment includes the development of a new immersive visitor’s centre and the creation of 36 new jobs which is great news for the local Ards & North Down Borough Council area. Roles on offer include operational, administrative and visitor centre roles and once in place, will contribute over £1million of additional annual salaries for the Northern Ireland economy.

“It is impressive to see a company in such a short period of time scale so quickly. We have assisted its trade activities, recently supporting it to secure a distribution agreement in Canada. The company’s Dunville whiskey is now on the shelves of almost 900 stores across Canada. Our partnership approach is clearly working and I look forward to seeing Echlinville’s export ambitions continuing to reap rewards.”

Shane Braniff, Owner of Echlinville Distillery said: “This investment will help us to substantially increase our production capacity and grow our export sales tenfold over the next five years. We are adding capacity in distillation, bottling, labelling, storage and brand development, all of which are key to further establishing our brands in major international markets including Russia and the US.”

Invest NI has offered Echlinville £659,000 of support towards the purchasing of new equipment, the extension of its storage facilities to meet anticipated demand for its products and the creation of 36 jobs.

Shane added: “As Northern Ireland’s first farm distillery, our whiskey has ‘field to glass’ traceability – something that is increasingly important in the global food and drink industry. We have built a strong reputation based on that approach and the quality of our products. Irish Whiskey is recognised as the world’s fastest growing spirits category, which is giving us a great foundation upon which to build our export business with the help of this funding from Invest NI.

“Every bottle that leaves our distillery features our address in Kircubbin and tells of our roots in the Ards Peninsula. Alongside increasing exports around the world, we also hope to raise awareness of what this part of Ireland has to offer and attract more visitors to the area with the development of a dedicated visitor centre. We look forward to continued growth in the years ahead and I would like to thank Invest NI for its continued support throughout our journey so far.”

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