Matthias McManus established Kilbeggan’s first distillery in 1757 under the patronage of Gustavus Lambert. The distillery operated with a 232 gallon still, and an annual output of 1,500 gallons
The accounts and statements on this site form the DNA of Kilbeggan's brand. These truths shape the brand and help to define its future direction.
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THE DECK
MOMENTS
THE FOUNDER'S DREAM:
A TASTE OF IRELAND
THE ORIGINAL IRISH WHISKEY WITH CHARACTER
Throughout its over 250 years of history, resilience and strength have always been defining qualities of the Kilbeggan brand. Despite the hardships throughout the years, the Kilbeggan Distillery proudly stands as the oldest continually licensed distillery in all of Ireland.
Today, Kilbeggan continues to set the standard for what ‘traditional Irish whiskey’ can be. Letting tradition guide the way, only the finest ingredients are selected, and traditional pot stills are used – one being the world’s oldest operating pot still dating back over 180 years. But also pushing tradition onward, working with the world-famous Cooley Distillery and its innovative distillation techniques.
Today, Kilbeggan continues to set the standard for what ‘traditional Irish whiskey’ can be. Letting tradition guide the way, only the finest ingredients are selected, and traditional pot stills are used – one being the world’s oldest operating pot still dating back over 180 years. But also pushing tradition onward, working with the world-famous Cooley Distillery and its innovative distillation techniques.
Kilbeggan Timeline
1757
Matthias McManus establishes Kilbeggan’s first distillery, Brusna Distillery, under the patronage of Gustavus Lambert. The distillery operated with a 232 gallon still, and an annual output of 1,500 gallons
1794
Matthias’ son John McManus takes over operations and later transfers the ownership to the Codd family.
1830s
The Temperance Movement in Ireland.
1843
John Locke Senior takes over.
1878
Fire destroys part of the distillery, the townspeople manages to rescue the facility and the stock (rolling barrels down the street).
1917
Food shortages in Britain leaves whiskey distillation suspended.
1931
Whiskey distillation resumes after US Prohibition ends. Locke family ownership ends (1963).
1982 - 1987
Local initiatives help to raise funds to restore the waterwheel and distillery.
1987
John Teeling takes over, changing the name to Kilbeggan Distillery.
2007
The distillery celebrates the 150 year anniversary of its founding
Stories
CELEBRATED STORIES
SINCE 1757
Our Kilbeggan distillery is the oldest licensed distillery in the world. It was first licensed by Matthias McManus in 1757 under the patronage of Gustavus Lambert, whose family had acquired the land where an old monastery once lay; stones from the monastery ruin were used in the construction of the first distillery.
THE PEOPLE'S WHISKEY
Our whiskey holds a special place in the hearts of the people. On several occasions throughout history, the community came together to help our distillery. In 1866, when Locke’s steam boiler exploded and he could not afford a replacement, the people of Kilbeggan chipped in and purchased a new boiler.
Then, in 1878, a fire broke out in a warehouse, and the townspeople rushed in to save the stock, rolling the casks out into the street. And in 1982, almost 30 years after the distillery had ceased operations, the locals formed the Kilbeggan Preservation and Development Association, raising funds to restore their beloved distillery so they could reopen it to the public as a museum.
Then, in 1878, a fire broke out in a warehouse, and the townspeople rushed in to save the stock, rolling the casks out into the street. And in 1982, almost 30 years after the distillery had ceased operations, the locals formed the Kilbeggan Preservation and Development Association, raising funds to restore their beloved distillery so they could reopen it to the public as a museum.
AN ADMIRED WHISKEY
Our whiskey is admired far and wide. It was once described by Winston Churchill as “mellow and pure as nature’s breath”, and both Queen Victoria and Irish novelist Flann O’Brien are said to have noted similar qualities in the liquid.
People
OUR PEOPLE
THE FOUNDER
Matthias McManus
THE STEWARDS
The Locke Family
John Locke Senior
Took out a 999-year lease and grew the business through his marriage to Jane Smithwick (Brewery family)
John Locke
Ran the distillery, married Mary Anne Deveraux (Shipping & Distillery family) and started exporting whiskey
John Edward Locke & James Harvey Locke
Invested heavily in the distillery, employing 120 people to reach maximum production
THE RESURRECTOR
John Teeling
MATTHIAS MCMANUS
THE FOUNDER
Early records indicate the distillery was most likely owned by Gustavus Lambert, the most powerful landlord in the area. The Lambert family had acquired a crumbling Cistercian monastery and built a distillery on the land using some of the stones from the ruins.
In 1757 Matthias McManus established Kilbeggan’s first distillery, under the patronage of Gustavus Lambert. It was named ‘Brusna Distillery’ as it was situated on the River Brosna. The distillery was a cottage industry in the early days, distilling liquid from spare barley. It operated with a 232 gallon still, and an annual output of 1,500 gallons.
With Matthias as the head distiller, word of the quality of the whiskey soon spread. It turned out that Kilbeggan was perfect for making whiskey. The availability and quality of the barley readily grown in the region, the abundance of turf for fuel, and the close proximity of a water source in the River Brosna made the location ideal for distilling.
Throughout the 18th Century demand for whiskey grew significantly in Ireland, driven by strong growth in population and displacing demand for imported spirits, leading to a proliferation of small-scale distilleries setting up in the Irish Midlands. However, with the Distilling Act of 1779, all makers of Irish whiskey were required to operate with a government-authorized license. The introduction of these regulations was a pivotal moment for McManus as many small distilleries were wiped out.
In 1782, there were three distilleries in Kilbeggan. And by 1796, only one distillery – Brusna Distillery – remained in Kilbeggan, which led McManus to increase his trade from 232 gallons in 1782 to 278 gallons in 1796. However, due to rising taxes, beer had become a more lucrative option during this time, so it is thought that the McManus family switched their attention to brewing.
Matthias’s son John McManus took over operations in 1794, but ownership transferred to the Codd family while John was executed for political crimes 4 years later. The Codd family led the distillery through a period of success until ownership transferred to John Locke.
In 1757 Matthias McManus established Kilbeggan’s first distillery, under the patronage of Gustavus Lambert. It was named ‘Brusna Distillery’ as it was situated on the River Brosna. The distillery was a cottage industry in the early days, distilling liquid from spare barley. It operated with a 232 gallon still, and an annual output of 1,500 gallons.
With Matthias as the head distiller, word of the quality of the whiskey soon spread. It turned out that Kilbeggan was perfect for making whiskey. The availability and quality of the barley readily grown in the region, the abundance of turf for fuel, and the close proximity of a water source in the River Brosna made the location ideal for distilling.
Throughout the 18th Century demand for whiskey grew significantly in Ireland, driven by strong growth in population and displacing demand for imported spirits, leading to a proliferation of small-scale distilleries setting up in the Irish Midlands. However, with the Distilling Act of 1779, all makers of Irish whiskey were required to operate with a government-authorized license. The introduction of these regulations was a pivotal moment for McManus as many small distilleries were wiped out.
In 1782, there were three distilleries in Kilbeggan. And by 1796, only one distillery – Brusna Distillery – remained in Kilbeggan, which led McManus to increase his trade from 232 gallons in 1782 to 278 gallons in 1796. However, due to rising taxes, beer had become a more lucrative option during this time, so it is thought that the McManus family switched their attention to brewing.
Matthias’s son John McManus took over operations in 1794, but ownership transferred to the Codd family while John was executed for political crimes 4 years later. The Codd family led the distillery through a period of success until ownership transferred to John Locke.
JOHN LOCKE SENIOR
STEWARD
John Locke Senior took over the distillery in 1843, purchasing the assets of the Brusna Distillery from the Codds. He and his wife Jane Smithwhick, of the well-known Kilkenny brewing family, had previously run a distillery in Tullamore which had suffered during the economic recession and the Temperance movement of the 1830s.
By the mid-1840s the demand for whiskey had recovered a little and John Locke took out a 999-year lease on the distillery, which included a mill. The Locke’s already had access to yeast through their connection with the Kilkenny brewery, however, the lease of the distillery and mill gave them access to grain as part of the whiskey production.
In fact, the earliest surviving business records show that sales of grain, meal, and malt were almost as important to the business as sales of whiskey. The first entry in these 1840s ledger records shows the sale of a consignment of oatmeal for the Tullamore workhouse.
John had a presence that was felt throughout the community. He and Jane treated their employees well and provided cottages for them to live in for a small part of their salary. John also established the Kilbeggan Races, which attracted crowds from across Ireland. Not only did this benefit the community, but it also drew a link between racing, betting, and the drinks industry which helped to increase demand for Locke’s whiskey.
The Great Famine of 1845 to 1849 resulted in a huge loss of life and poverty, and the whiskey industry sank into further decline. John Locke Senior died in 1849, and his son John Locke took over the running of the distillery.
By the mid-1840s the demand for whiskey had recovered a little and John Locke took out a 999-year lease on the distillery, which included a mill. The Locke’s already had access to yeast through their connection with the Kilkenny brewery, however, the lease of the distillery and mill gave them access to grain as part of the whiskey production.
In fact, the earliest surviving business records show that sales of grain, meal, and malt were almost as important to the business as sales of whiskey. The first entry in these 1840s ledger records shows the sale of a consignment of oatmeal for the Tullamore workhouse.
John had a presence that was felt throughout the community. He and Jane treated their employees well and provided cottages for them to live in for a small part of their salary. John also established the Kilbeggan Races, which attracted crowds from across Ireland. Not only did this benefit the community, but it also drew a link between racing, betting, and the drinks industry which helped to increase demand for Locke’s whiskey.
The Great Famine of 1845 to 1849 resulted in a huge loss of life and poverty, and the whiskey industry sank into further decline. John Locke Senior died in 1849, and his son John Locke took over the running of the distillery.
JOHN LOCKE
STEWARD
After his father’s death, John Locke took over the running of the distillery. He married into one of the wealthiest and most powerful Wexford Catholic families, the Devereaux's. The father of his bride Mary Anne ran the Bishop’s Water Distillery, one of the largest in Ireland at the time. The family was also involved in a large shipping business and a malting business, both of which were beneficial to the distillery. John and Mary Anne had five children, two of whom became involved in the distillery.
The bulk of Locke’s whiskey sales were made in Westmeath, Offaly, and Roscommon. During the 1850s, the distillery was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain its market share in this region as larger Midland and Dublin distillers were able to take advantage of the growing railway network to extend their markets, forcing many small distilleries to go out of business.
Locke’s began to extend their market area during the 1860s thanks to the earlier expansion of the Grand Canal in 1834 (linking Kilbeggan directly onto a route to market in Dublin), as well as the proximity of Horseleap (6.5 km) and Tullamore (11km) railway stations. These factors enabled Locke’s to expand and survive when Irish distilling was becoming more centralized into larger distilleries in the cities.
Dublin became an important market and Locke’s began to export to Manchester, Liverpool, and Bradford (and later New York) where the growing population of Irish migrants after the Famine years created a new source of demand.
In the late 1860s, Mary Anne Locke moved the family to Ardnaglue, a country house outside the town, more in keeping with their rising social status. After the death of John Locke in 1868, the distillery was run by Mary Anne until the 1880s, when her two sons, John Edward Locke and James Harvey Locke, came of age and took over the concern.
The bulk of Locke’s whiskey sales were made in Westmeath, Offaly, and Roscommon. During the 1850s, the distillery was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain its market share in this region as larger Midland and Dublin distillers were able to take advantage of the growing railway network to extend their markets, forcing many small distilleries to go out of business.
Locke’s began to extend their market area during the 1860s thanks to the earlier expansion of the Grand Canal in 1834 (linking Kilbeggan directly onto a route to market in Dublin), as well as the proximity of Horseleap (6.5 km) and Tullamore (11km) railway stations. These factors enabled Locke’s to expand and survive when Irish distilling was becoming more centralized into larger distilleries in the cities.
Dublin became an important market and Locke’s began to export to Manchester, Liverpool, and Bradford (and later New York) where the growing population of Irish migrants after the Famine years created a new source of demand.
In the late 1860s, Mary Anne Locke moved the family to Ardnaglue, a country house outside the town, more in keeping with their rising social status. After the death of John Locke in 1868, the distillery was run by Mary Anne until the 1880s, when her two sons, John Edward Locke and James Harvey Locke, came of age and took over the concern.
JOHN EDWARD LOCKE & JAMES HARVEY LOCKE
STEWARDS
John Edward Locke and his younger brother James Harvey took over the distillery in the 1880s. This was the golden age for Locke’s distillery, reaching peak output in 1883. During this time, the plant was upgraded and extended, a steam engine was installed, and new buildings and offices were added. At the height of production, 120 people were employed (compared to 42 in 1873).
In 1890 John Edward Locke married the young Mary Edwards who became known as ‘Muds’ Locke because of her hunting exploits. They had two daughters, Sweet and Flo, but the marriage ended in divorce as Muds was not the most devoted wife. A settlement of £600 was made in 1896 and Muds and the children moved to a fine house in Ballinagore. Muds worked for the Red Cross in France during the war and subsequently became the commandant of the Red Cross Hospital in Mullingar. John Edward continued to live a more spartan existence in the old family home beside the distillery, where he kept a close eye on the day-to-day running of the business.
James Harvey Locke, on the other hand, remained at the family home in Ardnaglue, leading a more stylish existence. He indulged in the quintessentially British sporting and social affairs such as hunting, horse racing, polo, and cricket. He kept his own pack of harriers for hunting and maintained a racing establishment at the Curragh, where numerous races were won in the Locke colours. He also rode many winners locally at the Kilbeggan Races, played polo in Mullingar, and established a cricket club in Kilbeggan. James Harvey never married, but he had a long-standing love affair with Muds’ sister, Florence, to whom he left the farm at Ardnaglue.
John Edward died in 1920, leaving James Harvey to run the distillery. Sales had dropped markedly as 81% of the whiskey output in Ireland had shifted to column stills, producing spirit quicker and more efficiently than Locke’s pot stills. Amid a perfect storm of external interference, including the US Prohibition, the distillery ceased operations in 1924 and began to sell off the stock. Most workers were dismissed, and the future of the distillery looked bleak. James Harvey died in 1927, and ownership passed to John Locke’s granddaughters, Mary Evelyn and Florence Emily.
In 1890 John Edward Locke married the young Mary Edwards who became known as ‘Muds’ Locke because of her hunting exploits. They had two daughters, Sweet and Flo, but the marriage ended in divorce as Muds was not the most devoted wife. A settlement of £600 was made in 1896 and Muds and the children moved to a fine house in Ballinagore. Muds worked for the Red Cross in France during the war and subsequently became the commandant of the Red Cross Hospital in Mullingar. John Edward continued to live a more spartan existence in the old family home beside the distillery, where he kept a close eye on the day-to-day running of the business.
James Harvey Locke, on the other hand, remained at the family home in Ardnaglue, leading a more stylish existence. He indulged in the quintessentially British sporting and social affairs such as hunting, horse racing, polo, and cricket. He kept his own pack of harriers for hunting and maintained a racing establishment at the Curragh, where numerous races were won in the Locke colours. He also rode many winners locally at the Kilbeggan Races, played polo in Mullingar, and established a cricket club in Kilbeggan. James Harvey never married, but he had a long-standing love affair with Muds’ sister, Florence, to whom he left the farm at Ardnaglue.
John Edward died in 1920, leaving James Harvey to run the distillery. Sales had dropped markedly as 81% of the whiskey output in Ireland had shifted to column stills, producing spirit quicker and more efficiently than Locke’s pot stills. Amid a perfect storm of external interference, including the US Prohibition, the distillery ceased operations in 1924 and began to sell off the stock. Most workers were dismissed, and the future of the distillery looked bleak. James Harvey died in 1927, and ownership passed to John Locke’s granddaughters, Mary Evelyn and Florence Emily.
JOHN TEELING
THE RESURRECTOR
Businessman and entrepreneur John Teeling founded the Cooley Distillery in 1987 and helped to foster a new Irish whiskey industry. He has since lectured in business at University College Dublin (UCD) and has been involved in mining and diamond businesses both at home and abroad. As a doctoral student at Harvard in the 1970s, he came up with the idea for a new Irish whiskey distillery, which led him to the Kilbeggan Distillery.
In 1985, John bought a former State-owned potato schnapps distillery located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth in Ireland. He converted the plant into a whiskey distillery and opened the Cooley Distillery in 1987. That same year, John acquired the assets of Kilbeggan Distillery, allowing Cooley to relaunch whiskeys under the Kilbeggan and Locke’s Whiskey brands.
Due to the restoration efforts of the Kilbeggan Preservation and Development Association, Cooley was able to take over the running of the Kilbeggan Distillery Museum and began the process of re-establishing a working distillery on-site. Since the closure of the distillery, each subsequent owner had faithfully paid the £5 annual fee to maintain the distilling license, a gesture which aided John greatly in the process.
Distillation recommenced at Kilbeggan Distillery in 2007, 250 years after the distillery’s foundation. With the installation of a mash tun and fermentation vats in 2010, Kilbeggan became a fully operational distillery once again. John’s love for the old Kilbeggan Distillery continues to this day despite the fact that he is no longer involved. His vision helped to revive a stagnant industry as there were just two operating distilleries remaining until his influence, at Bushmills and Middleton. Cooley Distillery was the start of a revival.
The Cooley Distillery – and with it, Kilbeggan – was purchased by Beam Inc. in 2011 for around US $95 million. It now belongs to Beam Suntory after Suntory’s 2014 acquisition.
In 1985, John bought a former State-owned potato schnapps distillery located on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth in Ireland. He converted the plant into a whiskey distillery and opened the Cooley Distillery in 1987. That same year, John acquired the assets of Kilbeggan Distillery, allowing Cooley to relaunch whiskeys under the Kilbeggan and Locke’s Whiskey brands.
Due to the restoration efforts of the Kilbeggan Preservation and Development Association, Cooley was able to take over the running of the Kilbeggan Distillery Museum and began the process of re-establishing a working distillery on-site. Since the closure of the distillery, each subsequent owner had faithfully paid the £5 annual fee to maintain the distilling license, a gesture which aided John greatly in the process.
Distillation recommenced at Kilbeggan Distillery in 2007, 250 years after the distillery’s foundation. With the installation of a mash tun and fermentation vats in 2010, Kilbeggan became a fully operational distillery once again. John’s love for the old Kilbeggan Distillery continues to this day despite the fact that he is no longer involved. His vision helped to revive a stagnant industry as there were just two operating distilleries remaining until his influence, at Bushmills and Middleton. Cooley Distillery was the start of a revival.
The Cooley Distillery – and with it, Kilbeggan – was purchased by Beam Inc. in 2011 for around US $95 million. It now belongs to Beam Suntory after Suntory’s 2014 acquisition.
Place
CO. WESTMEATH IRELAND
A TIGHT COMMUNITY
Kilbeggan is a small countryside town situated in the heart of Ireland, in County Westmeath. The name Kilbeggan stems from Saint Beggan (the Church of Beggan) who was one of the 12 apostles of Ireland and founded a monastery in the area.
What makes Kilbeggan truly special is its local community. On several occasions throughout history, the actions of the local townspeople have demonstrated the strength of the bond between the people, the town, and their distillery.
One such occasion was in 1866 when the boiler blew up. The Locke family could not afford to replace it and saw no other solution but to close the distillery. In a display of true community spirit, the town came together and paid for a replacement boiler, allowing for the distillery to continue. A plaque still presides to this day on the walls of the distillery commemorating this kind gesture.
In 1878, when a fire broke out on-site at the distillery, the people of the town came to its rescue once again. They broke down the doors of the warehouse and rolled thousands of casks into the street, saving the stock and preventing the destruction of the distillery.
Later, in 1982, when the distillery had lain idle for nearly thirty years, the community formed the Kilbeggan Preservation and Development Association and obtained a caretaker’s license to begin renovations. They worked voluntarily and raised money by selling lifetime memberships to the Kilbeggan Distillery Museum for £200, as well as fundraisers. The steam engine and mill buildings were the first to be restored, followed by the waterwheel, which turned for the first time in many years in May 1983 – a landmark event in the slow recovery of the distillery’s heart.
What makes Kilbeggan truly special is its local community. On several occasions throughout history, the actions of the local townspeople have demonstrated the strength of the bond between the people, the town, and their distillery.
One such occasion was in 1866 when the boiler blew up. The Locke family could not afford to replace it and saw no other solution but to close the distillery. In a display of true community spirit, the town came together and paid for a replacement boiler, allowing for the distillery to continue. A plaque still presides to this day on the walls of the distillery commemorating this kind gesture.
In 1878, when a fire broke out on-site at the distillery, the people of the town came to its rescue once again. They broke down the doors of the warehouse and rolled thousands of casks into the street, saving the stock and preventing the destruction of the distillery.
Later, in 1982, when the distillery had lain idle for nearly thirty years, the community formed the Kilbeggan Preservation and Development Association and obtained a caretaker’s license to begin renovations. They worked voluntarily and raised money by selling lifetime memberships to the Kilbeggan Distillery Museum for £200, as well as fundraisers. The steam engine and mill buildings were the first to be restored, followed by the waterwheel, which turned for the first time in many years in May 1983 – a landmark event in the slow recovery of the distillery’s heart.
AN HISTORIC DISTILLERY
Kilbeggan, located in the heart of the Irish midlands, is the oldest distillery of its kind. It was founded by Matthias McManus under the patronage of Gustavus Lambert in 1757.
The first distillery, then called Brusna Distillery, operated a 232 gallon still, with an annual output of 1,500 gallons. This rose to ~60,000 gallons under Locke’s management in the late 1860s, and 157,000 gallons in 1886. At the peak of its production, the distillery employed up to 120 people.
During the period between the 1870s and the 1890s, the distillery had its golden age, supplying pot still whiskey to the southern Irish and English markets. The distillery also provided pot still whiskey to the northern Irish blenders who favoured the strong body and taste of the midland distilleries for blending, to give flavour to the more neutral-tasting grain spirit made by the large patent distillers based in Belfast and Derry.
The distillery used locally purchased grain, taking in about 40,000 barrels in 1891. This was delivered by farmers to the distillery yard in large sacks which were then hoisted into the warehouses. After the canal was built in 1834, the distillery began to use imported Welsh and Scottish coal to heat the stills. When distilling was in progress, huge plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the distillery chimney; when certain weather conditions prevailed, the whole town was enveloped in smog.
In 2007, the 250th anniversary of the distillery’s founding, distillation recommenced at Kilbeggan. The official firing of the pot stills was witnessed by direct descendants of the three families, the McManuses, the Codds, and the Lockes, who had run the distillery during its 200-year distilling history. In a nod to the long history of distilling at Kilbeggan, one of the two pot stills installed in the refurbished distillery was a 180-year old pot still, which had originally been installed at the Old Tullamore Distillery in the early 1800s. It is the oldest working pot still producing whiskey in the world today.
The first distillery, then called Brusna Distillery, operated a 232 gallon still, with an annual output of 1,500 gallons. This rose to ~60,000 gallons under Locke’s management in the late 1860s, and 157,000 gallons in 1886. At the peak of its production, the distillery employed up to 120 people.
During the period between the 1870s and the 1890s, the distillery had its golden age, supplying pot still whiskey to the southern Irish and English markets. The distillery also provided pot still whiskey to the northern Irish blenders who favoured the strong body and taste of the midland distilleries for blending, to give flavour to the more neutral-tasting grain spirit made by the large patent distillers based in Belfast and Derry.
The distillery used locally purchased grain, taking in about 40,000 barrels in 1891. This was delivered by farmers to the distillery yard in large sacks which were then hoisted into the warehouses. After the canal was built in 1834, the distillery began to use imported Welsh and Scottish coal to heat the stills. When distilling was in progress, huge plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the distillery chimney; when certain weather conditions prevailed, the whole town was enveloped in smog.
In 2007, the 250th anniversary of the distillery’s founding, distillation recommenced at Kilbeggan. The official firing of the pot stills was witnessed by direct descendants of the three families, the McManuses, the Codds, and the Lockes, who had run the distillery during its 200-year distilling history. In a nod to the long history of distilling at Kilbeggan, one of the two pot stills installed in the refurbished distillery was a 180-year old pot still, which had originally been installed at the Old Tullamore Distillery in the early 1800s. It is the oldest working pot still producing whiskey in the world today.
AN IDEAL LOCATION
For centuries, excellent barley has been grown in the Irish Midlands, attracting many distillers throughout history. Another advantage is the abundance of cheap fuel, i.e. turf, from the surrounding bogs which dominate the area around the River Brosna, as well as the river itself.
The river, which flows down from Lough Ennell, provides a critical element for making good whiskey. It filters through a limestone catchment area interspersed with peat bogs, imparting a distinctive taste to the waters of the Brosna and a unique character to Kilbeggan whiskey. The iconic waterwheel harnesses the power of the river that runs alongside the distillery.
Ireland’s damp, rainy, foggy, chilly but consistent climate plays a huge part in how Irish whiskey tastes. There are no significant peaks and troughs in the climate, producing a smooth and consistent taste, and resulting in a low Angel’s share.
The Malting Company of Ireland, based in Cork, provides Kilbeggan with its barley. The natural fertile soils of Munster and Leinster, combined with a mild, temperate oceanic climate and long growing season provide ideal conditions to produce premium quality malting barley. At Kilbeggan, we use spring water from our very own well onsite. This contributes to lower costs, better taste, and an environmentally friendly aspect, right from the start.
Apart from Kilbeggan’s prime location on the main route from Dublin to Galway, one of the most important infrastructural advances in the nineteenth century was the construction of a spur of the Grand Canal to Kilbeggan. The eight-mile-long canal from Ballycommon to Kilbeggan was funded as part of the general scheme for poor relief in Ireland, completed in 1836. Similar to a few other short canals in Ireland it was eventually closed in the early 1960s when a dam was built across the entrance and the canal bed was allowed to dry out. The Grand Canal Committee has since transformed this into a wonderful amenity with beautiful walkways developed along the site of the canal.
The river, which flows down from Lough Ennell, provides a critical element for making good whiskey. It filters through a limestone catchment area interspersed with peat bogs, imparting a distinctive taste to the waters of the Brosna and a unique character to Kilbeggan whiskey. The iconic waterwheel harnesses the power of the river that runs alongside the distillery.
Ireland’s damp, rainy, foggy, chilly but consistent climate plays a huge part in how Irish whiskey tastes. There are no significant peaks and troughs in the climate, producing a smooth and consistent taste, and resulting in a low Angel’s share.
The Malting Company of Ireland, based in Cork, provides Kilbeggan with its barley. The natural fertile soils of Munster and Leinster, combined with a mild, temperate oceanic climate and long growing season provide ideal conditions to produce premium quality malting barley. At Kilbeggan, we use spring water from our very own well onsite. This contributes to lower costs, better taste, and an environmentally friendly aspect, right from the start.
Apart from Kilbeggan’s prime location on the main route from Dublin to Galway, one of the most important infrastructural advances in the nineteenth century was the construction of a spur of the Grand Canal to Kilbeggan. The eight-mile-long canal from Ballycommon to Kilbeggan was funded as part of the general scheme for poor relief in Ireland, completed in 1836. Similar to a few other short canals in Ireland it was eventually closed in the early 1960s when a dam was built across the entrance and the canal bed was allowed to dry out. The Grand Canal Committee has since transformed this into a wonderful amenity with beautiful walkways developed along the site of the canal.
Liquid
House Style Liquid
HISTORY, PROCESS, & PORTFOLIO
A Fine Whiskey with Original Character.
Warm, Vibrant and Strong
Flavor Profile that is Retained in Double Distillation
Warm, Vibrant and Strong
Flavor Profile that is Retained in Double Distillation
The two liquid streams:
- Cooley(Peated Malt Distillate, Non-Peated Malt Distillate, Grain Distillate)
- Kilbeggan(Single Pot, Pot Still Rye)
1. LIQUID HISTORY
BRUSNA DISTILLER (1757 - 1953)
BRUSNA SPIRIT
During the period of the Brusna Distillery), the liquid character was described as “Old Pot Still” or “Pure Pot Still”.
This labeling assumes that the liquid was a malt whiskey, not a blend. It also indicates that a mixture of different grain types were used, both malted and un-malted, lending distinctive character to the whiskey.
Furthermore, the liquid was “fully matured in sherry wood”, which would create a rich and fruity flavour profile.
This labeling assumes that the liquid was a malt whiskey, not a blend. It also indicates that a mixture of different grain types were used, both malted and un-malted, lending distinctive character to the whiskey.
Furthermore, the liquid was “fully matured in sherry wood”, which would create a rich and fruity flavour profile.
COOLEY & KILBEGGAN DISTILLER
(1987 - PRESENT)
KILBEGGAN SPIRIT
Malt: Distilled from 2010 onwards. A heavier spirit with lots of spice notes like nutmeg and cloves, winter fruits, and berries. Cereal notes are more to the forefront, some vanilla notes.
Pot Still: Distilled only 34,000 LPA in 2011. Grassy notes coming from the unmalted components of the mash bill. Creaminess from the oats in the mash bill.
Rye: Distilled only 22,000 LPA in 2011 and 2012. Grassy notes coming from the unmalted components of the mash bill. Dry spice from the rye.
Pot Still: Distilled only 34,000 LPA in 2011. Grassy notes coming from the unmalted components of the mash bill. Creaminess from the oats in the mash bill.
Rye: Distilled only 22,000 LPA in 2011 and 2012. Grassy notes coming from the unmalted components of the mash bill. Dry spice from the rye.
COOLEY SPIRIT
Malt: Light, fruity spirit. Strong apple, stone fruit, and almond notes which get sweeter as the spirit ages. Vanilla notes coming from the American bourbon casks used. Delicate malt and cereal notes are the backbone of the spirit.
Peated Malt: Similar fruit and malty cereal notes, rounded off by a delicate smokiness from the malted barley.
Grain: Light and clean with no off notes.
Additional facts: The first-ever product under the Kilbeggan Brand was released in 1994. Locke’s Blend was first released in 1994 as well. The revamped Locke’s Single Malt was first released in 1996.
Peated Malt: Similar fruit and malty cereal notes, rounded off by a delicate smokiness from the malted barley.
Grain: Light and clean with no off notes.
Additional facts: The first-ever product under the Kilbeggan Brand was released in 1994. Locke’s Blend was first released in 1994 as well. The revamped Locke’s Single Malt was first released in 1996.
2. CURRENT PROCESS
WARM, VIBRANT & STRONG
Kilbeggan’s original character, the warm, vibrant, and strong flavour profile, is retained in double distillation. By not distilling our whiskey three times, which most Irish distilleries do, we are able to maintain key flavour components.
Today, our whiskey is distilled at two sites – the Kilbeggan Distillery (Small Batch Rye, Single Pot Still) and the Cooley Distillery (Kilbeggan, Single Grain).
While some casks are left to mature at Kilbeggan (6,000), the majority is held at Cooley (65,000). Because the water source and pot stills differ at the two sites, the nuances of the liquids vary, producing two distinct styles of whiskey – one heavier (Kilbeggan) and the other lighter and more fruity (Cooley).
Today, our whiskey is distilled at two sites – the Kilbeggan Distillery (Small Batch Rye, Single Pot Still) and the Cooley Distillery (Kilbeggan, Single Grain).
While some casks are left to mature at Kilbeggan (6,000), the majority is held at Cooley (65,000). Because the water source and pot stills differ at the two sites, the nuances of the liquids vary, producing two distinct styles of whiskey – one heavier (Kilbeggan) and the other lighter and more fruity (Cooley).
3. CURRENT PORTFOLIO
KILBEGGAN DISTILLERY
COOLEY DISTILLERY
Experience
THE FIRST SIP
IN IRELAND, THERE IS AN OLD SAYING:
“NEVER WATER ANOTHER MAN’S WHISKEY.”
Whiskey is a journey to be appreciated – from the aroma to the senses, to the taste. Thus tampering with the whiskey by adding water would be seen to ruin this delightful drink. This is a notion that still remains in the essence of our Kilbeggan Whiskey today.
Kilbeggan is to be enjoyed neat. The straightforward, simple serving of our whiskey best reveals Kilbeggan’s characterful spirit, highlighting the rich, vibrant, and subtly spiced flavour profile of our double-distilled whiskey.
Kilbeggan is to be enjoyed neat. The straightforward, simple serving of our whiskey best reveals Kilbeggan’s characterful spirit, highlighting the rich, vibrant, and subtly spiced flavour profile of our double-distilled whiskey.
More recently, the Irish Coffee has become also become a vessel for Kilbeggan to shine, following our traditional recipe:
- 1 ½ parts Kilbeggan® Blended or Single Grain Irish Whiskey
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar syrup (2:1 sugar to water)
- 3 parts medium to dark roast coffee
- Float lightly whipped heavy cream
- Top with grated nutmeg
Personality
Personality & Behavior
ORIGINAL CHARACTER
WARM & APPROACHABLE
Kilbeggan is both appealing and accessible, reflecting the kind and caring nature of the people of Kilbeggan who saved the distillery time and again.
VITAL & VIBRANT
Kilbeggan plays an essential role for its town – a source of pride and joy that had become intertwined with the history of the town.
STRONG & RESILIENT
A whiskey with backbone that has survived economic recession, famine, and war, Temperance and Prohibition, as well as fires and forced closures.
