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Duo plan €10m single estate Irish whiskey distillery
Two entrepreneurs have submitted a planning application to build a €10 million distillery in County Wicklow, Ireland, to create a single estate Irish whiskey.
Plans to build a €10m Irish whiskey distillery at Powerscourt Estate have been submitted for approval
The brainchild of Gerry Ginty and Ashley Gardiner, the project would see the old mill house at Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, transformed into a “world class” distillery, bringing with it 30 construction jobs and 18 full-time positions once fully operational.
“The Irish whiskey sector is the fastest growing alcoholic drinks category in the world, averaging double digit growth over the past five years,” said Ginty, Powerscourt Distillery CEO and co-founder.
“A unique product will be created at Powerscourt Distillery, which will utilise the natural ingredients and draw on the heritage of this spectacular Wicklow location.
“Whiskey from Powerscourt Distillery will be recognised for its authenticity and unique taste.
“We will combine the certified mineral water from the estate and barley from the golden fields of the estate to create something that is extra special.
“In essence the ultimate Irish whiskey, from barley to bottle on the Powerscourt Estate.”
The duo aim to be producing more than one million bottles of whiskey each year once the facility is working at full capacity, with the first distillate scheduled to be put in casks by the end of 2016.
Pwerscourt Distillery has already sourced €3 million in its first funding round this year and is in discussions with numerous domestic and international investors to close a second funding round by the end of 2015, thus bringing the funding total to €5 million.
The distillery is a joint venture with Powerscourt Estate, supported by an agreement with the Slazenger family to situate the distillery on the estate, which boasts an 800-year history stretching back to a castle built in the 13th century.
Roy Court will take up the position of master distiller if the planning application is successful.
“At Powerscourt Distillery we are passionate about fostering an appreciation of this traditional Irish spirit, reclaiming and celebrating Ireland’s distilling heritage,” commented Gardiner, Powerscourt Distillery co-founder.
“With over 500,000 unique visitors a year to this wonderful location, we will have a readymade base of global ambassadors to support the potential and scale of this project.”