Ireland’s Slane Distillery To Go Operational This Summer

Slane Distillery, one of the newest additions to the growing Irish whiskey market, is approaching completion of its construction and plans to begin production in July 2017. Located approximately 30 minutes northwest of Dublin in the midst of Ireland’s Boyne Valley, the distillery is set on the grounds of the legendary Slane Castle.

Slane Distillery’s construction team broke ground on the $50 million project in September 2015, and is the first new distillery Brown-Forman has built outside of the United States. The distillery is constructed around a collection of 18^th century horse stables and courtyards which are being restored and converted into the production area and visitor experience. The extensive restoration includes masonry repair by local Master Stonemasons and traditional lime rendering by Master Plasterer George O’Malley, timber restoration and replacement of the 18^th century beams, doors and windows, new and restored Welsh slate roofing and restoration of the stables’ original chiming clock tower to working order.

“As Slane Distillery nears its completion, it is uplifting and inspiring to see our shared vision of having a distillery become a reality,” said Alex Conyngham, who along with his father Henry, is partnering on the project with Brown-Forman. “Slane Distillery will combine the hallmarks of Irish whiskey-making tradition with innovation, and we are excited about the future of Slane whiskey.

The distillery’s three hand-beaten copper pot stills and six column stills were crafted by McMillan of Scotland and were recently installed. The traditional timber washbacks will be hand-built this spring by Joseph Brown of Dufftown of Scotland. The visitor center interior work will commence shortly which includes reinstating the 18^th century horse stalls and tack room using the now fully restored original features. As the distillery nears its final phase of construction, the production buildings will soon be enclosed and the interior mechanical work on electrical, gas and plumbing will then be completed.

“We are proud and excited to introduce Slane Irish Whiskey and begin production at Slane Distillery,” said John Hayes, chief marketing officer of Brown-Forman Brands. “As Brown-Forman expands its whiskey portfolio, we are confident that Slane will offer a superb Irish whiskey experience and taste.”

Slane Irish Whiskey will launch in Ireland this April followed by select markets in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia in mid-2017. The initial expression of Slane Irish Whiskey will use high quality whiskey from other Irish distilleries which will be finished to Slane’s unique specifications using a triple casked process. Beginning in mid-2017, the whiskey crafted at Slane Distillery will be laid down to mature.