Slane Distillery

The Conyngham family has owned Slane Castle since the 18th century, and the estate has long been one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Boyne Valley. The family's vision to bring whiskey production back to the estate found its commercial realisation when Brown-Forman — America's leading family-owned spirits company — entered into partnership with them.

Work began on converting the estate's historic stable yards into a working distillery, a project that required significant investment and careful planning to meet planning and heritage requirements on the designated estate. The Slane Irish Whiskey brand was launched in 2015, initially from purchased aged distillate matured in the triple-cask style that would define the permanent range. On-site production of new make spirit began in 2017 using what the distillery describes as "the latest technology with the best of Irish whiskey making tradition." Sustainability and environmental responsibility were central to the project from the start, taking advantage of the estate's natural resources.

The distillery emphasises the convergence of the Conyngham family's Irish heritage and Brown-Forman's American whiskey expertise — a transatlantic dialogue echoed in the cask programme, which draws on Brown-Forman's own bourbon cooperage in Kentucky.

Slane's production uses a combination of still types reflecting the complexity of the triple-cask programme. The distillery produces both pot still spirit and grain spirit, which are then matured in three distinct cask types before being married together: virgin oak casks from the Brown-Forman cooperage in Louisville, seasoned whiskey casks (including ex-bourbon), and Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez, Spain. This triple-cask approach gives the final blend layers of character that no single cask type could deliver alone.

Water for production is drawn from the River Boyne catchment on the estate. The distillery is capable of producing sufficient new make spirit to support the Slane brand's international distribution ambitions under Brown-Forman's global network.

The signature Slane Irish Whiskey expression is a Triple Casked Blended Irish Whiskey bottled at 40% ABV. The marriage of virgin oak, seasoned whiskey, and Oloroso sherry casks produces a whiskey with vanilla and caramel from the American wood, spice and dried fruit from the sherry influence, and a smooth, clean foundation from the seasoned whiskey casks. The result is described as complex yet approachable — a whiskey designed to introduce the depth of Irish whiskey to a broad global audience.

Batch Strength releases explore the same triple-cask character at higher ABV, amplifying the spice and dried fruit notes. Slane Extra Sherry Wood extends the sherry cask influence for a more pronounced dried fruit profile.

The Slane Distillery visitor experience is one of the most atmospheric in Ireland, set within the beautifully restored stable yards of Slane Castle with views over the Boyne Valley. Tours take visitors through the full production journey: mash house, brew house, still house, cooperage demonstration, and maturation warehouses. Elevated tasting experiences explore the broader Slane expression range. The castle itself and its rock concert heritage provide a backdrop unlike any other distillery in Ireland. Private group events and corporate experiences are catered for. An online shop is available, and a physical shop operates on site. Book via slaneirishwhiskey.com.