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Ahascragh Distillery

Ahascragh Distillery in County Galway is part of the next generation of Irish Whiskey Distilleries that are re-energising the proud and long heritage of uisce beatha.

Founded by Gareth and Michelle McAllister the distillery is currently (January 2022) being built around the old landmark property of Ahascragh Mill.

By following Ahascragh Distillery social media sites you can access regular updates as to the progress of this ambitious venture.

In the meantime sourced spirits have been blended and packaged by Ahascragh Distillery in advance of their own produce and include Xin Gin, Clan Colla Whiskey and Uais Irish Whiskey.

Available in several local bars in Ahascragh village itself, Casks Away is ready to take you there to view the building works, enjoy a snack in the Old Mill Shop & Cafe and perhaps sample a few of their fine whiskey beside the distillery itself!

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All images courtesy Ahascragh Distillery website here.

Ahascragh Distillery twitter here, Instagram here and facebook here.

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Gelston’s Irish Whiskey

Gelston’s Irish Whiskey is a relatively new brand of Irish Whiskey celebrating a long family history based in Belfast.

Originally founded in 1830 by Samual Gelston, a successful wine and whiskey merchant, the business passed into the hands of the HJ Neill family whose descendents have brought this brand back to life.

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Comprising a wide range of single malt whiskeys finished in select barrels starting from a non age statement (NAS) offering,

Right up to a 26 year old cask strength ex-bourbon cask matured single malt,

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Gelston’s have a whiskey to suit all tastes, and wallets!

The whiskey is sourced from undisclosed Irish Whiskey Distilleries. Frank McHardy has assisted with the development of this brand, which should give some clues as to it’s origin!

Gelston’s are part of the Halewood International portfolio.

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Header image courtesy Yard Gallery here.

Bottle images courtesy Gelston’s website here.

Halewood International website here.

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West Cork Distillers

West Cork Distillers have quietly built up the largest wholly Irish owned whiskey distillery operations in Ireland.

Founded in Union Hall in 2003 by three childhood friends, the business now occupies a large site in Skibbereen and is capable of producing 4 million litres of pure alcohol a year.

All styles of Irish Whiskey are made, Single Grain, Single Malt, Single Pot Still and Blended.

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West Cork not only release under their own brand.

They also contract distill for many other customers.

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Striving to use Irish grown grain they regularly use Irish wheat rather than the imported corn or maize many other distilleries use.

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A visitors centre is scheduled to open in 2020.

Casks Away looks forward to taking you there – when it is safe to do so.

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All images courtesy West Cork Distillers website here, facebook page here and twitter site here.

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Waterford Distillery

Due to the COVID19 pandemic this event has been postponed until Saturday 5th September.

The long awaited inaugural release from the category defining Waterford Distillery is happening on Saturday 25th April 5th September.

Casks Away will be there and is offering a return transport service for 7  6 keen whiskey fans.

Contact info@casksaway.ie to book your seats. Events page here.

Building itself on the founding pillars of provenance, biodynamics and terroir, Waterford Distillery (website here) has built up much anticipation for it’s ‘Where Barley Is King’ approach.

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The Pilgrimage Single Malt Whiskey will be available to purchase at the Open Day.

Prospective attendees must book their tickets in advance via Waterford Distillery’s eventbrite page here.

It remains to be seen how the whiskey community will react to the first tastings of this highly sought after release.

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Founder Mark Reynier and his team have built up a much lauded reputation both within the wine and whisky industry during his time at La Reserve Fine Wines and Bruichladdich Distillery.

Casks Away looks forward to a successful future at Waterford Distillery.

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Irish Times article on Mark Reynier here.

Photos in text courtesy Waterford Distillery facebook site here.

Header image courtesy Casks Away.

 

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Tullamore Distillery

There has been whiskey distilling in Tullamore for over 200 years.

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The Old Bonded Warehouse, where Tullamore DEW Whiskey Tours start from (website here), attractively situated on the banks of the Grand Canal, are part of the original 1829 B Daly Distillery from which the new Tullamore Distillery, located on a turf bog a few kms outside the town, still continues the tradition.

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Built in 2014, Tullamore Distillery is owned by William Grant & Sons of Scotland. It has the ability to produce all four styles of Irish Whiskey: single grain, single malt, single pot still and blended whiskey. Tullamore’s own distillate is now making it’s way into the popular triple distilled, triple blended Tullamore DEW range.

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Tours of Tullamore Distillery are available on a weekly basis, Old Bonded Warehouse tours are conducted daily.

Why not let Casks Away escort you there in conjunction with other prominent whiskey distilleries active in the Heart Of Ireland.

info@casksaway.ie

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All whiskey images courtesy Tullamore DEW twitter site here. Other images courtesy Cask Away.

Tullamore Dew website here.

William Grant & Sons website here.

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Teeling Whiskey Distillery

When Teeling Whiskey Distillery opened it’s doors back in 2015, website here, it marked the return of Irish Whiskey Distilling to Dublin after an absence of nearly 50 years.

Founded by Jack and Stephen Teeling, sons of the famous John Teeling, they assembled an experienced team of players, as well as plenty of maturing whiskey stocks, after the buyout of Killbeggan and Cooley Distilleries to Beam back in 2011. Irish Times article here.

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Head Distiller Alex Chasko

A fabulous visitors experience has been built around the working distillery, capable of producing a half million litres of alcohol per year.

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Some Teeling Whiskey

A wide and varied selection of award winning single malts, blends and single grains have been released from those initial stocks, as well as the first single pot still made in Dublin for a long time.

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Teeling Single Pot Still

Located in the vibrant Liberties area of Dublin, Teeling Whiskey Distillery is a must see of any Casks Away Whiskey Tour of Ireland’s capital city.

Contact info@casksaway.ie to book your tour.

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All images courtesy of Teeling Facebook page here, and Twitter site here.

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Royal Oak Distillery

Situated in the green fields of the old Holloden House Estate, Royal Oak Distillery strikes an impressive pose sitting behind it’s picturesque duck pond complete with wooden walkway.

All three styles of Irish Whiskey are made here, grain, malt and single pot still whiskey, giving Royal Oak great flexibility.

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Capable of producing two and a half million litres of pure alcohol a year at full tilt, Royal Oak have not yet released any of their own whiskey. (Dec 2019)

Originally founded by Walsh Whiskey (whose sourced Irishman – see Casks Away blog here – and Writers Tears Whiskey ranges are available at the distillery), there was a dramatic split with the Italian company Illva Saronno who now own the facility. See Irish Times article here.

Better known as producers of the Tia Maria and Disaronno liqueurs, Illva Saronno don’t have a whiskey in their current drinks portfolio. Although interestingly a subsidiary Indian company have released a whisky range in that region. See Modi Illva site here.

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Let Casks Away take you on a day trip to visit this fabulous whiskey distillery set in the verdant County Carlow countryside.

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All images courtesy of Royal Oak twitter here and facebook site here.

Illva Saronno website here.

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Powerscourt Distillery

Powerscourt Distillery is built into the Old Mill House of Powerscourt Estate itself.

Stunning views across to Sugarloaf Mountain greet the visitor on driving down the impressive entry road just up from the picturesque village of Enniskerry in County Wicklow.

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Recently opened in 2019, the distillery has an impressive display of 3 copper pot stills already laying down spirit filling a variety of casks in the maturation warehouse opposite.

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A fully guided tour goes into the rich heritage of Powerscourt Estate, as well as the fine art of distilling whiskey.

Visitors are treated to a tasting of the Fercullen range of whiskeys which were previously distilled at another distillery by the Master Distiller of Powerscourt, Noel Sweeney.

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They encompass a Single Grain, a Blend and a 14 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey.

Powerscourt Distillery is the highlight of any Casks Away Whiskey Tour.

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All images courtesy of Powerscourt Distillery facebook here and twitter here.

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Pearse Lyons Distillery

Opened in 2017, Pearse Lyons Distillery is not like any other distillery.

Built into the former St James Church with its surrounding graveyard the 2 slightly unusual copper pot stills take pride of place at the altar.

Lovingly restored by Deirdre Lyons, wife of the late Dr Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, the distillery is packed full of stories, history, culture & spirits of the alcoholic kind!

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The full range of Pearse Whiskeys are available to taste as part of the tour. Many include single malts made by the very stills, Mighty Mollie and Little Lizzie, at this fabulous distillery.

Let Casks Away whisk you to the door as part of a Dublin Whiskey Exploration Tour.

Contact info@casksaway.ie for details.

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Images courtesy of Pearse Lyons Distillery facebook here.

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The Call Of The New Irish Whiskey Distilleries

Casks Away are pleased to announce a special inaugural ‘The Call Of The New Irish Whiskey Distilleries Tour.’

On the morning of 22nd June Casks Away will deliver you to the doors of the freshly opened Roe & Co Distillery located in the former Guinness Power Plant Building in the heart of Dublin.

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Be one of the first guests to partake of the Power House Tour and sample the lovely Roe & Co Blended Whiskey.

After a meal in a nearby hostelry, for the afternoons entertainment you will be driven into the scenic Wicklow Mountains to enjoy a full ‘Distillery And Warehouse Tour’ of the recently opened Powerscourt Distillery set in the magnificent grounds of Powerscourt House itself.

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This unique Irish Whiskey Experience visiting two of the newest Irish Whiskey Distilleries to open is yours for the reduced rate of only €100 per person.

Please contact info@casksaway.ie to secure your seat for this exciting adventure.

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Casks Away is based in the Midlands and is offering collection points along the M4 / M6 corridor for this tour.

Please contact info@casksaway.ie to arrange.

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All photos courtesy Casks Away