Production Process
Brewing
A key ingredient of our blend, some of our barley is bought in, and some is grown on our very own estate, but it's always Irish.
Fermentation
All of our whiskey washes are fermented in traditional wooden washbacks and fermented longer for a more complex flavour.
Distillation
Our malt and pot still whiskey are triple-distilled in handcrafted copper stills.
Maturation
After distillation, our whiskey is carefully casked into 3 selected barrels - virgin oak, seasoned Tennessee whiskey and Oloroso sherry, and allowed to mature.
Blending
Once the whiskey is matured, we expertly blend the three cask types together to get Slane Irish Whiskey. Which we then bottle for you to savour.
Three Unique Casks For A Uniquely Complex Spirit.
Each of our casks comes with its own character and adds to the complexity of our whiskey.
What is Irish Whiskey?
Distilled since the 6th century, Irish Whiskey is one of the oldest – and most revered – spirits in the world. To be classified as Irish Whiskey, it must be distilled and matured on the Island of Ireland, and produced from a mash of that must contain malted cereals, but can also contain whole grains of other cereals. Within these boundaries, there are 4 distinct types of whiskey produced in Ireland
Types of Irish Whiskey
Irish Pot Still Whiskey
Irish Pot Still Whiskey is made from a mash of malted barley, unmalted barley and other unmalted cereals, along with water and yeast. It is distilled in pot stills that lead to the formation of a distinct flavour and aroma in the spirit. It is then matured for a minimum of three years in casks – included those previously used for other spirits such as sherry or bourbon. The character of these casks influences the flavour of the whiskey.
Irish Malt Whiskey
Irish Malt Whiskey is made from 100% malted barley, water and yeast. The process is the same as Irish Pot Still Whiskey, it is differentiated by only using malted barley.
Irish Grain Whiskey
Irish Grain Whiskey is made using malted barley and includes whole, unmalted cereals such as maize, wheat or barley. It is then distilled – often triple distilled – using column stills.
Irish Blended Whiskey
Irish Blended Whiskey is a blend of two or more of the different whiskey types listed above. A master blender will use their experience and knowledge – accumulated over many years of apprenticeship – to create a whiskey with the depth and flavour desired.