Posted on

Midleton Distillery

The Midleton Distillery in County Cork when it started production of whiskey in 1975 marked a turning point in the fortunes of Irish Whiskey.

The New Midleton Distillery, as it was known, replaced the Old Midleton Distillery of the 1800’s which now houses the visitors centre.

It also concentrated the entire production of whiskey in Ireland under one roof (Bushmills being in Northern Ireland) with the amalgamation of Jamesons, Powers and Cork Distillers businesses in the newly formed Irish Distillers.

DSCF9150 email

The combined facility concentrated on promoting (rather ironically given the opposition to ‘Silent Whisky‘) the Jameson blended whiskey which slowly turned the decline of Irish Whiskey into a rebirth which is still growing today.

All Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Spot Whiskey, Redbreast, Midleton Whiskey and the exciting Method and Madness ranges of Irish Whiskey are made at Midleton.

They also provide the spirit to many third party brands.

A visit to the distillery is a must for any fan of Irish Whiskey and Casks Away is ready to take you there!

Slainte

casks away signature thin

All images courtesy Casks Away

Posted on

Cooley Distillery

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.

Cooley 3
Cooley 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.

casks away signature thin

Images courtesy of whisky.com and Kilbeggan Distilling Co here.

Posted on

Bushmills Distillery

Originally granted a licence to distill way back in 1608, it wasn’t until 1784 a whiskey distillery eventually started at the site.

A fire in the building (an occupational hazard in distilleries) prompted an 1885 rebuild which still stands today as part of the ever expanding complex of buildings in County Antrim, part of Northern Ireland.

Bushmills today produces a popular range of blends,

bush blends
Black, Original & Red Bush Blends

A selection of age statement single malts,

Bush sm
Bushmills Single Malts

and under current owners, Mexican drinks giant Jose Cuervo, a travel retail exclusive range of cask finished single malts.

Bushmills-Steamship-collection-family-shot
Bushmills Steamship Range.

Bushmills distillate also forms the basis of many third party blends & brands.

At one time Bushmills was one of only 2 distilleries on the island of Ireland. Both of them owned by the Irish Distillers Group.

Thankfully those lean years have gone and Irish Whiskey is expanding.

Casks Away looks forward to taking you to the very North of Northern Ireland to visit this wonderful distillery, as well as the nearby Giant’s Causeway!

Get in touch to be part of the adventure.

Sláinte

casks away signature thin

All images courtesy Bushmills Distillery websites & social media.