Brown-Forman Corporation, best known as the owner of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, has announced its purchase of all shares in Slane Castle Whiskey Limited, and that it plans to invest around $50 million (approximately €44 million) in building a new distillery.
The distillery will be located on the historic Slane Castle Estate in Meath, home to the famous music festival, as well as the eighth Marquess Conyngham, Henry Conyngham, and his son, Alex Conyngham, the Earl of Mount Charles.
Brown-Forman chief executive Paul Varga expressed excitement about the company’s new venture into Irish whiskey, noting, “Brown-Forman has a long history of bringing great whiskey to the world.”
Lawson Whiting, executive vice-president and chief brands and strategy officer for Brown-Forman Brands, commented, “Irish whiskey has been one of the fastest-growing segments in the global whiskey category over the last few years, and we’re excited to be partnering with the Conyngham family as we build the new Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery and introduce new Irish whiskeys to the world.”
Whiting also said that the Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery will open in late 2016, with the aim of introducing its new whiskeys in the spring of 2017, initially using high-quality whiskey purchased from other Irish distilleries and then finished to Slane’s specifications while the whiskey made at the new distillery matures.
“Our family has been part of the Slane community for many generations, and we are pleased to join forces with Brown-Forman to bring our special part of Ireland to the world,” remarked Alex Conyngham.
He added, “Our commitment to caring for our land, cultivating barley, and our family legacy are consistent with Brown-Forman’s long-term approach to whiskey-making, and we believe that this aligned approach will bring great success.” [Photo courtesy of Jimmy Harris 2004]
© 2015 – Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
