Kilbeggan Distillery
Kilbeggan Distillery (formerly Brusna Distillery and Locke's Distillery) is situated on the River Brosna in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland.
The Old Kilbeggan Distillery dates back to 1757 and is acknowledged as the oldest physically licensed distillery in the world.
In 2007 the distillery is celebrated its 250th anniversary and to celebrate an old still has been restored and distilling re-commenced on the 19th March 2007.
The Old Kilbeggan is the home of the Award winning Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey
History
The distillery was founded in 1757[1] and, by 1798, was in the hands of Matthias McManus, whose son was executed in Mullingar due to the part he played in the United Irishmen rebellion of that year.[2]
John Locke took over the distillery in 1843[2] 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,[3] but they chose to sell to The Transworld Trust in 1947.[4] 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.
Present Day
Today the distillery is home to a museum and restaurant, and posesses a 19th century waterwheel that is in working condition.
Whiskey production recommenced in 2007, the year in which the distillery celebrated its 250th anniversary. The whiskey in production at Kilbeggan will not be ready for sale until 2014; however the three brands associated with the distillery - Kilbeggan, Locke's Blend and Locke's Malt - are currently made at the Cooley Distillery in County Louth from where they are transported to Kilbeggan for maturation and bottling. This has happened since Cooley purchased the Kilbeggan site in 1988.[1][5]
The distillery's visitor centre was highly commended by Whisky Magazine.[6]
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- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
multiple1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Barnard, Alfred. Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Birlinn, 1887.
- ^ http://www.classicwhiskey.com/distilleries/lockes.htm
- ^ Dáil Éireann - Volume 108 - 29 October, 1947 - Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Locke's Distillery
- ^ http://www.cooleywhiskey.com/products/
- ^ http://www.thescotchblog.com/2007/03/cooley_distille.html