Scott's Irish Whiskey Distillery
Scott's Irish Whisky Distillery is a small craft distillery in the village of Garrison, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, sitting close to the western border with the Republic of Ireland. The distillery draws its water from Lough Melvin and the Roogagh River — one of the cleanest and most celebrated freshwater systems in Ireland, home to rare species of arctic char. This remote, lough-side location at the geographic edge of Northern Ireland's craft distilling scene gives the project a distinctive identity rooted in the unspoilt Fermanagh landscape.
The brand is named in tribute to Angus Scott, a family ancestor who allegedly distilled illegally in the 1780s before emigrating to America, where family history holds he became a successful bourbon producer. Scott's holds the record for the most expensive first bottle of Irish whisky sold in Europe, fetching £11,000 at auction — a remarkable achievement for a craft producer that had only just released its first spirit.
Tours
Not available
On-site Shop
No shop
Online Shop
Not available
History
Scott's Irish Distillery Ltd was incorporated on 1 October 2019, making it one of Northern Ireland's youngest distillery ventures. The main distillery building was completed in August 2020, and first whisky production took place that same year. As of 2024, the site was still undergoing expansion with construction works continuing on the broader estate.
The distillery is Fermanagh's first new whiskey distillery since the contemporary craft revival began, representing a significant moment for a county historically associated with Bushmills (just over the border in Antrim) and the broader Northern Irish whiskey tradition. The founders have been deliberate about not rushing to market — the emphasis has been on production quality and allowing the whisky to develop properly before any widespread commercial release.
[!info] Branding note: The official website uses "Whisky" (without an 'e'), departing from the Irish convention of "whiskey." This appears to be a deliberate branding choice.
Production
Water is sourced from Lough Melvin and the Roogagh River, both of exceptional purity in the Fermanagh countryside. Beyond the water source, production details are not publicly available from official channels. The distillery is a small-batch operation; production capacity and still configuration have not been disclosed. Spirit produced from 2020 onwards will require minimum three-year maturation before qualifying as Irish whiskey under legal definitions.
Tasting Character
No verified tasting notes are available from official sources at the time of writing. Given the water source and the distillery's stated ambitions, the spirit is expected to reflect the clean mineral character of the Lough Melvin catchment.
[!question] Gap — verified tasting notes needed from official release sources.
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- Scott's Irish Whisky First Release — Record-setting bottle sold at European auction for £11,000; exact specification not publicly confirmed
Visiting
No public tours or visitor access are available at the time of writing. The official website states the site is not yet open to visitors. No online shop or physical retail shop is recorded. For the latest visitor status, check scottsirish.com or contact via the details on the website.
Official Website
