Following a multi-million pound two-year renovation, McConnell’s Distillery and Visitor Experience is now open to the public, offering a chance for Belfast locals and visitors to experience the brand.
The distillery is housed in the A-wing of the former Crumlin Road Gaol, known locally as The Crum, which was opened in 1846 and operated as a prison for 150 years before closing in 1996.
Guests will be able to explore the McConnell’s Irish Whisky brand through a guided tour that tracks the journey of whisky from brewing, to distilling, and finally to maturation. The guided tour will include a welcome drink, along with McConnell’s 5-Year-Old Whisky, McConnell’s Sherry Cask Whisky, and new make liquid straight off the stills, at £25 ($48 AUD) for an adult ticket.
John Kelly, CEO of McConnell’s Belfast Distillery Company, is looking forward to welcoming the site’s first visitors.
“We are thrilled to welcome our first visitors, after years of planning, building and fitting out. I am very confident that all of our guests, locals and tourists alike, will have a truly world-class experience when they come through our doors. Following significant investment from our Board and international investor community and support from the Northern Ireland Government Departments, we have put in place an experience which really will take the breath away,” he said.
The history of McConnell’s dates back to the 1700’s, when the McConnell family were first listed as spirit dealers in trade directories. Today, McConnell’s is distributed worldwide and has netted a number of awards.
For Mark Johnston, McConnell’s Head of Sales and Marketing, the distillery’s opening marks a milestone in the whisky’s return to the global market.
“McConnell’s is an historic Belfast brand which is now making a big impact on the Irish whisky market at home and on a global scale with our trusted partners, with our whiskies now enjoyed by consumers in over 45 countries worldwide. With our award-winning brand now having a new home, the future holds great promise for McConnell’s Irish Whisky.”
