The Copeland Distillery in Co Down has launched the second permanent instalment in its Merchants’ Quay blended Irish whiskey range.
The Donaghadee distillery has released a five-year-old single grain whiskey, aged in single-use American bourbon barrels, and finished in Muscatel and Pedro Ximenez wine casks.
The release of the spirit, sourced from the Great Northern Distillery in Co Louth, comes as Copeland prepares for the release of its own self-distilled whiskeys later this year.
The distillery, which opened in the harbour town in 2019, said its first single malt and pot-still whiskeys distilled in Donaghadee are nearing maturation and will be launched at the end of 2024.
Gareth Irvine, founder of The Copeland Distillery, said: “2024 marks a significant moment in our whiskey journey.
“We continue to establish pedigree and showcase our creativity and craftmanship in blended whiskey through our Merchants’ Quay range, and it’s particularly important we do so, as we prepare for the first release of our own pot-stills and single malts later this year.
“There are currently over 500 casks filled and maturing in our cask warehouse on the Ards Peninsula, which equates to over 150,000 bottles.”
The company’s commercial director, Mark Prentice, said the distillery is increasingly looking to international markets.
“When it comes to whiskey, although Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Africa remain important, the US is our primary market,” he said.
“It is a competitive environment, but we can speak confidently about our quality and our provenance which helps build connection with consumers.
“Over the last 12 months, we have proven our appeal, particularly amongst the Irish diaspora, and as the demand for Irish whiskey grows, we are well-positioned to meet demand through our expanded Merchants’ Quay range.
“It’s an exciting time as our whiskey offering is set to transform towards the end of the year with the release of the first cask of whiskey produced in Donaghadee.”
Copeland’s Merchants’ Quay Single Grain Irish Whiskey is bottled at 46% ABV and available now priced at £40.
