Roe & Co

Introduction:

The Roe & Co distillery is located in the vibrant Liberties district of Dublin, which has seen a resurgence in the establishment of new distilleries since the early 2000s. Roe & Co Irish Whiskey is a blend of malt and grain Whiskeys, with the grain component adding sweetness and fruity notes, while the maturation in American white oak casks adds a subtle spiciness. The goal in blending Roe & Co is to create an approachable Irish Whiskey that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed in cocktails. It aims to strike a balance between the intensity of Bushmills and the neutrality of Jameson. The Dublin distillery exclusively produces 100% malt Whiskey, while the grain portion for the Roe & Co blend is sourced externally. The label of the Roe & Co bottle features St. Patrick’s Tower, which was part of the original George Roe & Co distillery that ceased operations in the early 20th century. The bottle shape and turquoise label draw inspiration from the iconic St. Patrick’s Tower and its copper roof. Another symbol associated with the distillery is the pear tree, which has been present since the days of the old distillery and continues to bear fruit.

Production:

The Roe & Co Malt uses water sourced from the Wicklow Mountains near Dublin, the same water used in the production of Guinness Stout. The distillery has the capacity to produce approximately 500,000 litres of pure alcohol each year. Three pot stills are utilized in the distillation process, each with its own unique shape and design.

The Pot Stills:

Roe & Co Whiskey is distilled using a 14,000 litre Wash Still and two Spirit Stills with capacities of 7,000 litres and 4,000 litres respectively. All three stills feature long necks and reflux bowls. The middle still, previously used for Tanqueray Gin, has an unusual shape for a Whiskey still, with a second reflux bowl at the top of the neck. After being converted into a flowerpot, it was restored for the production of Roe & Co Whiskey. The third still has a very long neck. The combination of the stills’ unique designs and the triple distillation process results in a mild and soft spirit with ample copper contact and reflux. Following the first distillation in the wash still named ‘Vision’, the spirit is divided and transferred to the two spirit stills called ‘Valor’ and ‘Virtue’ (formerly used as a Gin still). While double distillation is also possible, Roe & Co initially focuses on triple distillation, which is a classic method in Irish Whiskey production. The distillery plans to transition to double distillation by the end of 2019. The spirit safe used in the production process is sourced from the Teaninich distillery in the Scottish Highlands, which happens to be located directly opposite Master Distiller Lora Hemy’s parents’ house.

Malting:

The malt used in the production of Roe & Co Whiskey is sourced from the Irish malt house Minch, located in Athy, County Kildare. The barley used for the malt is not dried over peat fires, as peated malt is not suitable for the triple distillation process employed by Roe & Co. The team prioritizes high quality and a local character, therefore they exclusively use Irish malt of the Olympus variety in their production.

Mashing:

The cast iron Mash Tun used at Roe & Co distillery is affectionately named ‘George’ after the original founder and operator of the George Roe distillery.

Fermentation:

After the mashing process, the fermented liquid, known as ‘wort,’ is transferred to six wooden washbacks at Roe & Co distillery. The wood of the washbacks interacts with the wort during fermentation, adding interesting aromas that will be present in the final whiskey. Over 100 esters, which are compounds responsible for various flavors, are formed during the fermentation process. Roe & Co utilizes two different recipes with varying fermentation processes, resulting in fermentation times of either 70 or 120 hours, depending on the chosen recipe.

The Warehouses:

After the distillation process, the spirits from the different fermentation recipes at Roe & Co are blended together in a large spirit vat with a capacity of 15,000 litres. This blending combines the grassy and fruity aromas from each recipe, resulting in the fresh and fruity character of Roe & Co Whiskey. Due to Dublin’s regulations and historical fire hazards associated with whiskey storage in the city, the warehouses for Roe & Co are located outside of Dublin. The whiskey barrels are stored in various warehouses across Ireland, mostly inland. To transport the spirits from the distillery to the warehouses, a custom-built spirit tanker truck was designed specifically for Roe & Co. This allows for efficient and secure transportation of the whiskey casks. Once the whiskey arrives at the warehouses, it matures for a minimum of three years, though often longer, in First Fill Bourbon casks. Master blender Caroline Martin carefully monitors the maturation process and selects the optimal moment when she believes the whiskey has reached its desired flavor profile before it is bottled.

The History:

In 1757, Peter Roe established his whiskey distillery in Dublin’s future ‘Golden Triangle’ area. The distillery experienced steady growth, reaching a production volume of two million gallons (about nine million litres) by 1887. In response to increasing competition from foreign markets, Roe & Co merged with two other leading whiskey producers in 1891 to form the Dublin Distillers Company Ltd. Unfortunately, the original ‘George Roe & Co’ distillery had to close its doors in 1926 due to the prohibition in America and competition from cheaper Scottish whiskies.

Nearly 90 years later, Diageo decided to build a new distillery for producing the single malt component of the Roe & Co blend. This distillery was constructed on the premises of the former Guinness Power House, located at the National College of Art and Design. Distillation operations began in June 2019.

During the planning phase of the new distillery, Diageo prioritized female leadership, resulting in Roe & Co being predominantly managed by women. Master blender Caroline Martin and master distiller Lora Hemy, both with backgrounds as perfumers, play key roles in the team. Their expertise in sensory perception and flavor profiles contributed to the development of Roe & Co’s whiskey. Feedback and suggestions for improvement from various bartenders served as valuable input in adjusting the malt-grain ratio and alcohol strength of the whiskey.

Visitor Centre:

Roe & Co boasts a comprehensive Visitor Centre that provides guided tours lasting approximately 75 minutes, available seven days a week. For a ticket price of around 20 euros, visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the distillery, a whiskey tasting experience, a cocktail course, and even a complimentary drink at the Power House Bar. The Visitor Centre offers an immersive and educational experience for whiskey enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about the craft of distillation.

Visitor information:

Roe & Co Distillery
92 James’s Street
Dublin 8
Tel: +353 1 6435 999
E-Mail: hello@roeandcowhiskey.com