Glendalough Distillery

Glendalough Distillery was born of a belief that independent Irish Whiskey could make a comeback. But first we went away and found our inspiration in the real story of Glendalough, the story of St. Kevin. A son of Irish royalty, but a man apart, he disappeared into the mountains.

And in a deep remote valley became one with the wild. Over seven years he became the valley itself, the rocks, the trees, the lakes. He was the tree a Blackbird laid her eggs in. Thirteen days and nights he stood until they hatched, and another 13 until they fledged. It's this image that drives us on. We put it on our bottle to remind us that the beginning is the most important part of the work.

And like the Irish monks of the 6th century, we began by making Potcheen, the world's first distilled drink, the ancient ancestor of Whiskey. This magical drink became famous across the New World. Many would come seeking it and other treasures. St. Kevin knew that remoteness was no longer enough to protect Glendalough. So defenses were organized.

Walls and towers were built, and great oak doors were braced for impact. In ancient Ireland, oak was revered. It kept out evil spirits, and so the Potcheen would come to be kept in it, a stroke of genius, or luck, that would color, age, and mellow it, leading to the invention of Whiskey. Our Double Barrel is aged twice in barrels from far sides of the world. Our seven year old Single Malt commemorates the years St. Kevin lived in the wild, and the city of seven churches he came to build.

The 13 year old, well that's a whole other story. With our Whiskeys travelling the world, we returned home, and again to the 6th century for inspiration. Word had spread of the man called Kevin, and people flocked to Glendalough. The wild food that grew was organized and cultivated. Natural medicines, herbs and botanicals abounded, and the garden of Ireland was now distilled and infused in her spirits. So from the mountains, we made a wild botanical Gin, a Gin from the place and time that changes as the seasons change. But one thing will stay the same, good drinks, with good stories to be told over them. Glendalough Distillery, stand of art.