Cooley

Introduction:

Cooley Distillery stands out among Irish producers in several ways, including its use of double distillation rather than the more common triple distillation.

Tyrconnell is a highly regarded Single Malt Whiskey from Cooley, known for its fruity and malty character. It is available in a standard bottling without an age statement, as well as a 10-year-old expression with various finishes such as Sherry, Port, and Madeira. These finishes add additional depth and complexity to the whiskey.

Locke’s Single Malt Whiskey, another offering from Cooley, exhibits a smooth and oily texture alongside youthful freshness and fruity notes. It is typically available as an 8-year-old bottling.

Kilbeggan, on the other hand, is a classic Irish Blended Whiskey from Cooley. It features a smooth combination of grain and malt notes, making it approachable and easy to enjoy. Additionally, Kilbeggan offers grain whiskeys with sweet vanilla notes and distinctive oak flavors, providing further variety in their range.

One exceptional label in Cooley’s portfolio is Connemara Single Malt Whiskey. What sets it apart is its unusually heavy peat influence, resulting in a velvety smooth whiskey with sweet-fruity flavors and a distinctive vanilla note. The smoky character of Connemara adds an atypical element to the range of Cooley’s offerings.

Production:

Cooley Distillery operates as a dual-functioning distillery, producing both Single Malt Whiskey in pot stills and grain Whiskey in patent stills. This allows them to create a range of both single malt and blended whiskeys.

In terms of production capacity, Cooley is capable of producing 650,000 liters of malt whiskey and 2.6 million liters of grain whiskey. This significant capacity enables them to meet the demand for their various whiskey expressions, whether it be single malts or blended whiskeys. The combination of both pot still and patent still distillation methods allows Cooley to achieve versatility in their production processes and offer a diverse range of whiskies to consumers.

The Mashing:

Cooley Distillery utilizes a mash tun that was acquired from the former Moffat Distillery. This piece of equipment plays a crucial role in the mashing process, where water and malted barley are combined to extract fermentable sugars.

One advantage that Cooley Distillery enjoys is an abundant water supply. The Sliabh na Gloch River, sourced from the Cooley Mountains, provides the distillery with an ample amount of water. This natural water source is essential for the production of whiskey and contributes to the character and quality of the final spirit.

The Fermentation:

Cooley Distillery operates with four stainless steel washbacks dedicated to malt whiskey production, while an additional six stainless steel washbacks are utilized for grain whiskey production. These washbacks are important vessels used during the fermentation process. Stainless steel is a commonly used material due to its durability, cleanliness, and ease of maintenance in a distillery setting. The use of stainless steel washbacks ensures consistency and hygiene throughout the fermentation process at Cooley Distillery.

The Distillation:

Since 1989, Cooley Distillery has been using two relatively small pot stills with long, narrow swan necks to produce their smooth and fruity malt whiskey. These pot stills have a unique design that allows for extended contact between the spirit and the copper necks. This extended contact with copper enhances the refinement and character of the whiskey. These particular pot stills were originally employed at the Old Comber Distillery near Newtownards before finding a new home at Cooley.

In addition to the pot stills, Cooley Distillery also utilizes tall column stills. These column stills have a longer history and were initially used to produce neutral and industrial alcohol under government commission. The Teeling family later acquired these column stills as part of their operations at Cooley Distillery.

The Warehouses:

Before John Teeling purchased the old distillery and transformed it into Cooley Distillery, the facility was primarily used for the production of industrial alcohol, which did not require extensive storage. As a result, when Cooley Distillery shifted its focus to whiskey production, storage space became limited. To address this issue, a significant portion of Cooley Whiskeys is stored in the warehouses of the old Kilbeggan Distillery.

The maturation process for most Cooley whiskeys primarily takes place in ex-Bourbon casks. These casks impart distinct flavors and characteristics to the whiskey. However, certain expressions, such as Tyrconnell and Connemara, undergo special finishes using other cask types, such as Sherry, Port, or Madeira casks. These finishing casks add unique elements and nuances to the final product, enhancing the flavor profiles of these particular whiskey labels.

The History:

John Teeling’s establishment of the Cooley Distillery in 1987 marked the first new distillery to be founded in Ireland in 100 years. Teeling had recognized the decline of Irish whiskey production and had already made the decision to establish an Irish distillery in 1971. During his time at Harvard University, he authored two papers that addressed the rapid decline of Irish whiskey and its historical prominence in the international spirits market.

Teeling purchased a former state-run distillery called Ceimici Teoranta, which specialized in producing potato spirit. He renamed the distillery Cooley and essentially created two separate distilleries within its operations. The grain distillery utilized column stills to produce light and mild blends, while an additional pot still distillery was established two years later to produce pure pot still single malt whiskey. Teeling also acquired renowned Irish whiskey labels such as John Locke and incorporated them into the range. To accommodate the growing stocks, Teeling purchased the old Kilbeggan Distillery (formerly known as Locke’s Distillery), providing ample storage space. Kilbeggan had previously functioned solely as a warehouse and visitor center, but since 2007, it has resumed whiskey distillation.

The international success and increasing sales of Cooley whiskeys attracted the attention of several spirit companies. In 2011, Jim Beam acquired the Cooley Distillery for $95 million. However, the Teeling Whiskey Company secured a significant portion of the cask stocks through a contract agreement, allowing them to bottle this whiskey under their own label. This ensured that Teeling maintained a presence in the industry and continued their involvement in the whiskey-making process.

Visitor Centre:

The Cooley Distillery does not have its own visitor center. For those interested in learning more about the art of distillation and the history of Kilbeggan and other Cooley labels, the Kilbeggan Distillery Experience in Kilbeggan is the recommended destination. Visitors can explore the distillery, discover the distillation process, and delve into the rich heritage of the Cooley distillery brands.

Visitor information:

Cooley Distillery
Dundalk Road
Maddox Garden
Dundalk
County Louth
Tel: +353 (0)42-9376102