Slane

Introduction:

The Slane Distillery is situated on the Slane Castle estate in the Boyne Valley, north of Dublin. This family – owned castle is renowned for hosting weddings and other celebrations. The surrounding area of County Meath has favorable conditions for barley cultivation, making it a hub for Irish whiskey production. Historically, Meath was home to numerous distilleries in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Since its opening in 2017, the Slane Distillery has been producing its own spirits, while also selecting matured single malts and grains from various distilleries across Ireland for their blended whiskey. These spirits are further aged in a combination of virgin oak, bourbon, and sherry casks. The maturation process remains unchanged, resulting in their signature flavor profile. Slane offers a standard ‘Triple Casked’ bottling at 40% ABV, as well as a Batch Strength bottling, which is a blend of casks at their natural cask strength, ranging from 61% to 63% ABV. The bottle design of Slane Whiskeys is inspired by the symmetrical architecture of Slane Castle.

The Production:

Slane Whiskey utilizes water from the nearby River Boyne, which runs through the fields of the Slane estate, right by the distillery. The estate also includes barley fields where some of the barley used in the production of the whiskey is grown. However, the estate’s barley yield alone is not enough to meet the production demands of Slane Whiskey, so additional barley is sourced from other farms in Ireland.

The barley is processed at Slane using a Lauter Tun for mashing, which extracts the sugars needed for fermentation. The fermented mash is then transferred to traditional wooden Washbacks for the fermentation process. These Washbacks contribute to the development of unique flavors and characteristics in the whiskey.

The Pot Stills:

At the Slane distillery, both Single Malt and Pot Still Whiskeys are produced using the traditional method of triple distillation. The distillation process is overseen by Dr. Gearóid Cahill, who holds the positions of Distillery Manager and Master Distiller.

The distillery is equipped with three copper pot stills. Two of the stills are compact in size and feature wide necks with constrictions. These constrictions and the shape of the stills promote reflux, which helps to refine and purify the spirit during distillation. The third still is smaller in size but taller, and it includes an additional reflux bowl that further contributes to the smoothness of the final product.

By employing triple distillation and carefully managing the reflux process, Slane distillery aims to create spirits that exhibit exceptional smoothness and depth of flavor.

The Warehouse:

Slane Whiskey undergoes a triple maturation process in a variety of casks to develop its unique flavors. The maturation takes place in three types of casks: fresh American oak casks sourced from the Brown Forman Cooperage in Kentucky, ex-Bourbon casks, and Oloroso Sherry casks. Each type of cask contributes distinct characteristics to the final Whiskey.

After the maturation process, the Whiskeys matured in these different casks are carefully blended to achieve the desired flavor profile. The final product is then reduced to the appropriate drinking strength before bottling.

In an effort to promote sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint, Slane estate has planted a small forest consisting of approximately 14,000 trees. This initiative aims to enhance the biodiversity of the area and support environmental conservation. Additionally, there are plans to eventually utilize the oak wood from these trees to craft their own casks, further showcasing their commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability.

History:

The history of Slane Whiskey dates back to 1611 when the Conyngham family settled in Slane Castle. However, the whiskey named after the castle was officially launched in 2015 by Brown – Forman, an American spirits company. Initially, the whiskey was produced by sourcing malt and grain whiskeys from various distilleries across Ireland. These whiskeys were then finished in a unique combination of Bourbon and Sherry casks, as well as American Virgin Oak casks, which gave Slane Whiskey its distinct flavor profile.

In 2017, a significant milestone was reached when the Conyngham family partnered with Brown-Forman to establish the Slane Castle distillery on their estate. This ambitious project involved a substantial investment of €47 million to transform the historic site into a fully functioning distillery. In September of that year, the first cask was filled at the new distillery, marking the beginning of production of Slane Whiskey on-site. It is worth noting that the position of Master Distiller was vacant for some time, but in January 2022, Dr. Gearóid Cahill was appointed as both Distillery Manager and Master Distiller, bringing his expertise to the production of Slane Whiskey.

The Visitor Centre:

Slane Distillery provides a variety of experiences and offerings for visitors. These include a 40 – minute tasting session priced at €15, allowing guests to sample and explore the flavors of Slane Whiskey. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the VIP Exclusive Tour, which lasts for 2 hours and costs €75, offers a deeper insight into the distillery’s operations and includes tastings of exclusive expressions.

In addition to tastings and tours, Slane Distillery provides opportunities for guests to learn and participate in the art of crafting Irish Coffee and cocktails through their Irish Coffee Class and Cocktail Class. These classes offer hands-on experiences and insights into creating delicious beverages using Slane Whiskey as the key ingredient.

The distillery is also available for private parties and venue hire, providing a unique setting for special occasions and events. Visitors to Slane Distillery can also take the opportunity to explore the nearby historic Slane Castle, adding to the overall experience of the area.

Visitor information:

Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery
PC6R+MM Slane Castle Demesne
County Meath
Ireland