Us ambassador in good spirits at slane whiskey sodturning

The US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin F O’Malley, was guest of honour today at the official ground breaking ceremony for the €44 million Slane Distillery on the historic Slane Castle Estate, home of Henry Conyngham, the eighth Marquess Conyngham, and his son Alex Conyngham, Earl of Mount Charles.

The distillery, which will also include a Visitor Centre, is being built by leading US Drinks firm Brown-Forman Corporation, the owners of Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort and Woodford Reserve which bought all shares of Slane Irish Whiskey Company from the Conyngham family earlier this year. The Conynghams remain centrally involved in the development of the new distillery and the new whiskey brands which will be introduced in early 2017.

This is the first new distillery Brown-Forman has built outside of the US and represents its entry into distilling Irish whiskey, one of the fastest growing spirits categories over the last few years. When completed by the end of 2016, Slane Distillery will create nearly 25 new full-time jobs while the construction process will support approximately 80 jobs. The Slane Distillery and Visitor Centre will be a welcome new attraction to the Boyne Valley tourism trail.

The US Ambassador signed the first cask that will be filled with whiskey from the distillery and commented on the significance of the occasion:  “There are so many links between Ireland and the great state of Kentucky – people, music, horses and a great tradition of making the finest whiskies. This is a truly modern linkage – combining the best in creativity and expertise to bring new products to the world at a time of huge opportunity for Irish whiskey. I am very pleased to welcome this latest wonderful partnership between our two countries”, said Kevin F O’Malley.

“This is a great coming together of two historic families - the Browns of Kentucky and the Conynghams of Slane. We are very proud to join forces to bring exciting new Irish whiskeys to the world. The commencement of work on the distillery is just a first step in developing a new Irish whiskey brand and welcoming guests to the new distillery,'said Henry Conyngham.

Brown-Forman executive vice president and chief brands & strategy officer Lawson Whiting said Irish whiskey was one of the most exciting spirits categories in the world and Slane provided the perfect opportunity to begin distilling Irish whiskey. “Brown-Forman brands are founded on heritage, quality and authenticity and there is nowhere as real as this beautiful and historic part of Ireland. We will leverage our wood and whiskey making prowess to create world class whiskey at Slane”.

The distillery and visitor centre, which is in the historic stables complex adjacent to the castle, will see the 18th century buildings restored and converted to house both the production operations and the consumer experience. The first Slane Irish whiskeys will be launched to market in early 2017 – initially using high quality whiskey purchased from other Irish distilleries and finished to Slane’s exacting recipes and specifications while the first whiskey from the distillery is laid down to mature. Upon completion it will have a potential output of more than 600,000 cases.

Alex Conyngham said the partnership with Brown-Forman provided a unique range of possibilities for a new Irish whiskey brand. “Whiskey by its nature requires a long-term approach and we look forward to bringing people on a journey of discovery with us. We will offer a range of blended, pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys in the premium and super premium segments. Visitors will be able to come here and literally see where the grain is growing and how we are producing it with care”.

Jackie Maguire, chief executive, Meath County Council, was in attendance and welcomed the development, saying: “This is a boost for jobs, tourism and investment in County Meath and the Boyne Valley region. The 25 permanent jobs in addition to the construction jobs will have a significant impact on the area. I am delighted to see this development begin, and the council will continue to work to support new investments and allow the county to prosper as a distinct and diverse location.”

This follows the opening of the Boann Distillery and Boyne Brewhouse and the decision by Facebook to establish a data centre in Meath, Ms Maguire added.

'All of these investments have followed the launch of the Meath Economic Development Strategy in June, which aims to create 7,500 new jobs in the county by 2022.'

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, said: “The quality of life in Meath is seen as a unique attraction for businesses locating there, with close proximity of housing, schools, services and amenities. The range of attributes possessed by Meath and its surrounding areas are clear for all to see.”

Local Slane councillor, Wayne Harding, also welcomed the announcement and paid tribute to the Conyngham family on their project.

Cllr Paddy Meade, chairperson of the East Meath municipal area authority, said: 'Today is a great day for everyone. In years to come when Slane Castle Whiskey sits on shelves across the world along side its partner Jack Daniels, it will hopefully also open people's interest in coming to Ireland and when here coming to see the castle and the beautiful village of Slane within the Boyne Valley.

'Not alone will the distillery employ 25 full time staff directly, he said. 'The visitor centre will bring extra tourism into the Meath area busting trade for all locals and the Slane Whiskey logo going global will help highlight the beautiful village of Slane, which has so much to offer people.'