Distillery
Mc Connell's
McConnell's is a historic whisky brand founded in Belfast (1776) and relaunched by the Belfast Distillery Company. Today it operates a distillery and visitor centre at Crumlin Road Gaol and offers a range based on blends of malt and grain whisky, with expressions matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in sherry and cognac casks.
- Belfast · Northern Ireland · United Kingdom
- Since 1776
- 2 products
The story
The McConnell's name dates back to a business established in Belfast in 1776. The brand was reintroduced to the modern market by the Belfast Distillery Company, with a commercial relaunch in 2020 and the opening of the distillery/visitor centre at Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast in 2024. Initial releases were produced from sourced spirits while the new facility was under construction; subsequently the operation consolidated with on-site production and its own aged releases.
Production philosophy
To combine Belfast’s historical heritage with contemporary approaches: valorise the city’s whisky tradition through small batches, balanced blends and experimentation with selected cask finishes, while offering a distillery and visitor experience that connects the product, history and the local community.
Territory
Belfast, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)
Awards and recognition
Awards for the 5-year series: Master medal (McConnell’s Signature) and Gold medal (Sherry Cask Finish) at the Irish Whiskey Masters 2024, according to industry sources.
Production method
The range includes blends of malt and grain whisky; the first bottles were made from sourced spirit while the distillery was being built. Core expressions are matured in first-fill ex-bourbon casks and some releases receive a finishing period in sherry or cognac casks. Small-batch production and visitor centre activities are part of the operating model.
Ageing
Maturation in first-fill ex-bourbon casks; some expressions undergo a finishing period in sherry or cognac casks; declared minimum ageing for the core expressions (5 years).
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Belfast
- Categories
- Irish whisky
- blended whisky
- blended malt
- aged single malt
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- cereals (grain)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- ex-bourbon casks (first-fill)
- sherry casks (finish)
- cognac casks (finish)
- Representative products
- McConnell's 5 Year-Old (Signature Blend)
- McConnell's 5 Year-Old Sherry Cask Finish
- McConnell's 5 Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish
- Old Cromac Collection 20 Year-Old (single malt)
What makes it distinctive
- Historic brand founded in Belfast in 1776 and relaunched by the Belfast Distillery Company.
- Distillery and visitor centre operating at Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast.
- Core range based on blends of malt and grain matured in ex-bourbon casks; expressions finished in sherry and cognac.
- Initial releases produced from sourced spirit during construction of the distillery; progressive on-site production thereafter.
- International presence with distribution and availability in European, North American and other markets.