Hinch Distillery invests in new £500k warehouse

Hinch Distillery invests in new £500k warehouse

6 July 2022

THE success story at Hinch Distillery is continuing with a £500,000 investment in a new maturation warehouse.

Funding for the new development at the award-winning distillery near the Temple has been provided by Tourism NI.

The cash investment takes Hinch Distillery to the next level as it celebrates the construction of a the maturation warehouse which will form the concluding element of the visitors’ centre experience and showcase the art and craft that goes into maturing an Irish whiskey.

The new warehouse will conclude the tour of the distillery which already incorporates the individual steps of the distilling process, from the ingredients room, mash house, still house, spectrum room and a sampling room, designed by the same team behind New York’s Dead Rabbit.

As a result of the Tourism NI funding the local distillery — which produces a range of Hinch Irish Whiskeys as well as its own Ninth Wave Irish Gin — will be able to ramp up its tour and conclude with one of the most important parts of Irish whiskey production — the maturation process.

The maturation experience will illustrate the effect of ageing new make spirit and, in particular, Hinch’s approach to wood management and scale.

The £15m distillery has produced a number of uniquely casked Irish whiskeys including a ‘Craft and Casks’ range using local craft beer casks.

It has also produced a unique range of sherry-casked whiskeys and its very own, limited edition, Château de la Ligne wine cask variety. 

A significant number of distilleries across the province do not have maturation on site, making the construction of the warehouse at Hinch Distillery a real coup for Northern Ireland’s tourism offering. 

Launched in 2019 and opened one year later, the local distillery has been increasing its visitor numbers monthly since Covid-19 restrictions have eased. And it has also established itself on the hospitality map with the launch of Hinch Brasserie.

Meanwhile, its product portfolio is reaching no less than 30 global markets, boosting Northern Ireland’s reputation as a producer of fine food and drink products, while its collection has beckoned multiple international awards including Double Gold Medal for Irish Whiskey Double Wood Aged Five Years product at ‘The Fifty Best’ — a New York awards event and a Silver and Judges’ Selection at the Alberta Beverage Awards. 

Hinch Distillery chairman, Dr Terry Cross, said he is pleased to announce the next phase of the distillery and visitors’ centre experience, explaining that the maturation process is a very important part of the tour and the whiskey process. 

“This space will afford visitors the ability to see our distilled product maturing on site, and to see the various cask finishes, scale of production and investment in liquid and casks, while enhancing the visitors’ sense of being part of the process,” he said.

Dr Cross said the maturation warehouse helps complete the visitor centre tour and offers a point of differentiation that is hard to find anywhere else in Northern Ireland.

He continued: “Hinch Distillery is a brand that truly values its rich heritage. We create Irish whiskeys that are reassuringly smooth, yet distinctively richer and bolder in character. We look forward to launching the maturation warehouse and divulging the details of how we make our award-winning whiskeys. 

“We would like to thank Tourism NI for its continued support in our project, from inception to development and it is now helping us mature alongside our whiskey.”

Dr Cross added:  “This element of the tour aligns with the Northern Ireland Embrace a Giant Spirit brand, offering visitors unforgettable experiences. Hinch Distillery is a brand that truly values its rich heritage.”

Tourism NI’s director of strategic development, David Roberts, said the organisation is delighted to work with Hinch Distillery to help grow its tourism offering. 

“We have offered them £200,000 of support under the experience development programme which has helped with the construction and fit-out costs relating to the Hinch Distillery Visitor Centre Experience.

“The completion of the maturation warehouse will add another important dimension to the whiskey tour experience which is attracting domestic and international visitors.”

Mr Roberts added: “The distillery and visitor centre adds to Northern Ireland’s growing drinks tourism industry with its distinct product offering and customer experience. This is something that Terry and his team should all be proud of.”