by Irish Whiskey was in a different place back in 1987.
There were only 2 distilleries, New Midleton and Bushmills, controlled by 1 company, Irish Distillers.
Then Cooley opened and changed the scene.
They double distilled.
They peated.
They acquired and revived long lost whiskey brands.
They sold to 3rd parties like supermarket chains and independent bottlers.
They opened up the market.
Cooley has never had a visitors centre.
Now part of the Beam/Suntory Group, Cooley continues to make whiskey.
The visitors centre is at the sister distillery of Kilbeggan in County Westmeath.
Those involved in Cooley are now part of Great Northern Distillery, Teeling Distillery, Powerscourt Distillery as well as others.
Cooley’s involvement in the rebuilding of Irish Whiskey cannot be underestimated.
Images courtesy of whisky.com and Kilbeggan Distilling Co here.
casksaway.ie 