Slane Distillery, owned and operated by Brown-Forman, has filled its first barrel.
The inaugural cask contains new-make malt whiskey using barley harvested on the historic Slane Castle Estate, where the distillery is located, filled into a sherry hogshead. It marks the start of phasing in distillate to Slane Irish Whiskey.
Brown-Forman, in collaboration with the Conyngham family of Slane, began construction of Slane Distillery in late 2015 and introduced Slane Irish Whiskey in mid-2017. This triple-casked blend of Irish whiskey was sourced from other Irish distilleries and was then matured at Slane Distillery in virgin oak, seasoned whiskey and sherry casks. Slane Irish Whiskey (40% ABV) rolled out across the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $29.99 per 750-ml.
Now in full production, Slane Distillery has the capacity to produce 600,000 cases annually.
Slane Distillery is the first to be built by Brown-Forman outside of the U.S. The company invested $50 million in the distillery’s construction, which is upon the grounds of 250-year-old gothic farm buildings at the castle.
