Brown-Forman plans new $50m distillery

By Doug Newhouse |

Slade Distillery 2 2015Brown-Forman has held its ground breaking opening ceremony for its Slane Distillery which is its first step in entering the Irish whiskey market and the first distillery built and opened by Brown-Forman outside of the US.

The US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley, joined representatives from Brown-Forman for the ceremonial opening of the distillery which will include a visitor experience when it opens in late 2016, creating nearly 25 new full-time jobs.

The construction stages alone are providing work for approximately 80 jobs as the distillery starts to take shape in the grounds of Slane Castle which is located in the middle of a 1,500 acre estate in the heart of Ireland’s Boyne Valley, 30 miles north of Dublin. Slane Castle is the home of Henry Conyngham, the eighth Marquess Conyngham, and his son, Alex Conyngham, the Earl of Mount Charles, whose family has been part of the Slane community for generations.

Slade distillery DF 2015

From left to right: Henry Conyngham, the eighth Marquess Conyngham Kevin O’Malley, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Alex Conyngham, Earl of Mount Charles, Brooke Brown Barzun, fifth generation family shareholder of Brown-Forman, and Lawson Whiting, Brown-Forman EVP and Chief Brands & Strategy Officer.

 

“Brown-Forman brands are founded on heritage, quality and authenticity, and there is nowhere as real as this beautiful and historic part of Ireland,” said Lawson Whiting, Brown-Forman Executive Vice President and Chief Brands & Strategy Officer. “We will leverage our wood and whiskey making prowess to create world class whiskey at Slane Distillery.”

Ambassador O’Malley signed the first cask that will be filled with whiskey from the distillery. He was joined by Whiting as well as Brooke Brown Barzun, fifth generation family shareholder of Brown-Forman, and Henry and Alex Conyngham of Slane.

The distillery and visitor centre is located in the historic stables complex adjacent to Slane Castle and will be created as 18th century buildings are restored and converted to house both the production operations and the consumer experience.

Slane Distillery how it will look

The new Slane Distillery and how it might look when it is complete.

 

The first Slane Irish whiskeys will be launched to market in early 2017 – initially using high quality whiskey purchased from other Irish distilleries, 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.

“Whiskey by its nature requires a long-term approach, and we look forward to bringing people on a journey of discovery with us,” said Alex Conyngham.  “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.”

“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.

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