Kilbeggan Distillery
Kilbeggan Distillery (formerly Brusna Distillery and Locke's Distillery) is situated on the River Brosna in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland.
A small pot still distillery, it claims to be the "oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world".[1][2]
History
The distillery was founded in 1757[3] and, by 1798, was in the hands of a Matthias McManus, whose son was executed in Mullingar due to the part he played in the United Irishmen rebellion of that year.[4]
John Locke took over the distillery in 1843[5] and the distillery remained in the hands of the Locke family for many years. In 1943 the distillery was inherited by Mary Evelyn and Florence Emily, granddaughters of John Locke,[6] but they chose to sell to The Transworld Trust in 1947.[7] The economic depression of the 1920s and 1930s, as in many cases, took its toll on Locke’s and on 19 March 1954 production had ceased, with the distillery closing completely in 1957. Its reputation had also suffered somewhat as, during the prohibition period in the USA, a poor-quality moonshine named Locke's was available.
Today the distillery is a museum and restaurant and, although whiskey is no longer produced on site, it is still matured and bottled in the extensive warehouses here.[5] The 19th Century waterwheel is in working condition.
It also has the oldest working pot still in the world believed to be over 180 years old.
The distillery itself was awarded the best Irish distillery visitor centre by whiskey magazine.
Brands
Irish Whiskey
The three whiskeys formerly made at the distillery are:
They are still in production today at the Cooley Distillery in County Louth from where they are transported to the Kilbeggan Distillery for maturation and bottling.
See also
References
- ^ "World’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery comes back to life", Westmeath Independent, 24 March 2007. (free subscription required)
- ^ "Kilbeggan Distillery re-activated after 53 years", Athlone Advertiser, 23 March 2007
- ^ "Kilbeggan Distillery re-activated after 53 years", Athlone Advertiser, 23 March 2007
- ^ Barnard, Alfred. Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Birlinn, 1887.
- ^ a b as above
- ^ http://www.celticmalts.com/journal-a11.htm
- ^ Dáil Éireann - Volume 108 - 29 October, 1947 - Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Locke's Distillery