McConnell's Distillery
McConnell's Distillery is Belfast's working distillery and heritage visitor experience, reviving one of Northern Ireland's most historic whiskey brands. Situated within the 'A' wing of the iconic former Crumlin Road Gaol in north Belfast, the distillery opened on 17 April 2024 after a £12 million build as part of a £30 million total investment by the Belfast Distillery Company, owned by Belfast businessman John Kelly. The McConnell's brand traces its roots to Hugh McConnell, who began distilling in Belfast in 1776. The distillery was designed to attract 100,000 visitors per year and create around 50 jobs, becoming a significant anchor in Belfast's growing whiskey tourism offer alongside the nearby Giants Causeway coast.
[!info] The brand deliberately uses "Whisky" (without the e), an intentional stylistic choice confirmed on the official website. This is an atypical but deliberate departure from the standard Irish "whiskey" convention.
Tours
Available
On-site Shop
Open
Online Shop
Available
History
The McConnell's whiskey brand was established by Hugh McConnell in Belfast in 1776. It grew through the 18th and 19th centuries alongside the broader Irish whiskey industry but declined as that industry collapsed in the early 20th century under pressure from Prohibition in the United States, the Irish War of Independence, trade wars with Britain, and the rise of Scotch blended whisky.
The Belfast Distillery Company revived the McConnell's name in 2020, initially using sourced spirit to rebuild the brand's presence in the marketplace. The 5 Year Blended Irish Whisky and subsequent expressions were released under the McConnell's name ahead of the distillery's physical opening.
The decision to locate the distillery inside Crumlin Road Gaol — one of Belfast's most storied Victorian landmarks, operational as a prison from 1845 to 1996 — was both a heritage statement and a tourism play. Construction of the distillery within the gaol's 'A' wing was completed and the doors opened on 17 April 2024, attended by the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland.
Production
The McConnell's Distillery at Crumlin Road Gaol is a working distillery producing Irish whiskey on site. The core range is built around the 5 Year Blended Irish Whisky, which uses select malt and grain whiskies matured in ex-bourbon American oak barrels. The Sherry Cask Finish applies an additional maturation stage in sherry wood to add fruit richness. A Cognac Cask Finish expression is also in development. The premium tier is anchored by the Old Cromac Collection 20 Year Old Single Malt — a flagship aged expression representing the mature, complex side of the portfolio.
Tasting Character
The McConnell's 5 Year Blended Irish Whisky delivers a smooth, rounded profile with vanilla, light cereal sweetness, and gentle warmth — the accessible, everyday expression of the range. The Sherry Cask Finish adds dried fruit, rich spice, and a deeper amber character. The Old Cromac Collection 20 Year Old Single Malt represents the historic and aged end of the portfolio, offering greater complexity and depth suited to contemplative sipping.
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- McConnell's 5 Year Blended Irish Whisky£36.50 — Core expression; ex-bourbon maturation; smooth and approachable
- McConnell's Sherry Cask Finish£41.50 — Additional sherry maturation; dried fruit and spice
- McConnell's Old Cromac Collection 20 Year Old Single Malt — Premium aged flagship; rich and complex
- McConnell's Cognac Cask Finish£41.50 — Limited expression in development
Visiting
The McConnell's Distillery and Visitor Experience at Crumlin Road Gaol offers guided tours through the working distillery with tastings. An on-site café and venue hire for private events and corporate gatherings are available. The gaol setting provides a unique historical backdrop that extends the experience beyond a standard distillery tour. Online shop at mcconnellsirishwhisky.com; physical visitor shop at Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast.
Official Website
