Echlinville Distillery is the first new distillery in over 125 years in Northern Ireland and the first ‘field to glass’ distillery in Ireland. Founded in 2013 from a farm diversification, Echlinville has since established itself at the forefront of Ireland’s spirits renaissance and is home to premium award winning brands including Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, Echlinville Gin, Jawbox Gin and Bán Poitín - a revival of the country’s traditional spirit.
All Echlinville’s new make whiskey is produced from field to glass using only barley grown, harvested and floor malted by hand on the distillery farm, which has been in distillery owner Shane Braniff’s family for generations. The Ards Peninsula’s unique topography, rich soil, saline air and temperate micro-climate combine to create the perfect environment to produce whiskey with unique character and a direct connection to the land.
The distillery’s carbon footprint is low, with inputs to the distilling process sourced locally – assuring the spirits’ authenticity and provenance. Echlinville Distillery’s ethos is to tell the story of the land from which the whiskey originates and of those who bring it to life. Their roots are, quite literally, in the Ards Peninsula. Echlinville grow, produce and employ local and that is something of which they are extremely proud.
Echlinville’s distillery tours attract an increasing number of visitors. They have ambitious plans to extend beyond the existing tour offering and gift shop (and online sales) to create a visitor center with sustainability at its core. Visitors are treated to an immersive experience, gaining a real insight into the workings of an operational distillery in Echlinville’s still house and whiskey maturation warehouse, before a generous sampling of their award-winning spirits.
The superb glass structure of Echlinville’s state of the art still house contrasts with traditional buildings on the Echlinville estate, including the stunning Manor House which dates back to the early 1700s. Energy monitoring is standard here. State of the art equipment, including beautiful copper stills, are housed where views are glimpsed of the surrounding landscape over the rolling drumlins of the Ards Peninsula towards the distillery farm.
To visit, taste and experience Echlinville, call 02842 738 597 or visit the website.
The Green Tourism programme was funded by the Council’s Recycling Community Investment Fund - a scheme which is powered by the recycling efforts of local residents and businesses. Thanks to an increased amount of recycling by the local community, almost £15M has been saved in landfill costs since the programme’s inception. These savings have allowed the Council to create the RCIF which supports new and existing environmentally friendly initiatives.
