Historie

Old Comber is part of Echlinville Distillery and revives one of Ireland's historic whiskey names. Old Comber was founded in 1825 and produced at Comber Distilleries, which was about ten miles from Echlinville. Comber Distilleries closed in 1953, and Old Comber was regarded as one of Ireland's lost whiskeys. Echlinville has picked up the thread again and reintroduced Old Comber with a focus on the brand's tradition and the well-known Port and Sherry finishers. This marks a new phase for Old Comber – an old giant, a new chapter, and the launches were announced for December 8, 2025. Old Comber is described as one of Ireland's original whiskey giants, and the brand emphasizes its connection to the Ards Peninsula and farming as the core of its identity. There are also special releases such as a 200-year anniversary edition and an "Aird Cask Collective" where customers can buy their own cask of Old Comber.

Produktion / Fremstilling

Old Comber is a Single Pot Still whiskey, which in the current history is produced as a Single Estate whiskey. There is a focus on the field-to-glass story: all production takes place at the Echlinville farm, including the procurement of barley, malts and distillery activities. Old Comber 7 Year Old Single Pot Still is described as a 7-year-old whiskey, distilled exclusively from barley grown and malted on the Echlinville farms, and matured in Echlinville's dunnage warehouses with a finish in Oloroso Sherry, Tawny Port and Ruby Port casks. This edition is 46% ABV and bottled after seven years. The older Old Comber story is supported by the port- and sherry-finish and aging in dunnage warehouses, giving a characteristic body and spicy finish.

Old Comber's composition is based on the idea that all processes—from barley to distillation, aging to bottling—take place at Echlinville, giving a completely single estate process. It also highlights that Old Comber draws on a historical connection to the Ards Peninsula and the renovated traditional methods that underpin the brand's approach.

Produkter / Whisky-serien

• Old Comber Irish Whiskey – ABV 46% | 70 cl – Premium Single Pot Still whiskey finished in Port and Sherry cask finishes. Described as a whiskey that reflects the Old Comber name and the brand's history, with finishes in Port and Sherry casks.
• Old Comber 7 Year Old Single Pot Still – 46% ABV | 70 cl – 7-year-old Single Pot Still, distilled exclusively from Echlinville-grown barley, matured in dunnage warehouses and finished in Oloroso Sherry, Tawny Port and Ruby Port casks. Bottled at 7 years.
• 200th Anniversary – 50% ABV | special edition launched in 2025 – Aged in ex-bourbon cask and finished in Oloroso Sherry, Tawny Port and Ruby Port casks for a limited edition of around 2,016 bottles.
• Aird Cask Collective – option to buy your own cask of Old Comber Single Estate whiskey. Choose between two mash bills (Old Comber Pot Still and Heritage Mash Bill), and have the spirit distilled, stored and bottled at Echlinville with a certificate and option for a personalized label.
• The Old Comber Way – Single Estate – The only completely single estate pot still whiskey; distilled exclusively from Echlinville malted barley, and distilled, casked, matured and bottled at Echlinville. Defined as a full field-to-glass process.

Besøg / Oplevelser

Echlinville Distillery offers a range of experiences and tours such as Tour & Tipple, giving guests insight into the field-to-glass story and the opportunity to sample different whiskeys, gins and poitín. There is also the possibility of specific events and private bookings as well as gift cards for experiences and the shop. The Aird Information Evening (McBride’s On The Square, Comber, June 19) is mentioned as part of the Aird Cask Collective activities, where you can hear more about becoming part of the Old Comber story. The Distiller’s Rest Café and the trails around Echlinville Estate are also mentioned as part of the visitor facilities (opening hours and facilities may change).

Filosofi

The history and philosophy of Echlinville and Old Comber center on the link between soil, barley, and human craftsmanship. Echlinville describes itself as Ireland's first farm distillery, growing, malting and processing barley on its own farm, and distilling the spirits through trickle pot distillation to achieve a balance between complex character and refined nuance. Emphasis is placed on provenance and authenticity; everything happens on site from field to glass – which underpins the Single Estate concept and field-to-glass aesthetics. The slow distillation and dunnage warehouses, together with the salty sea air on the Ards Peninsula, contribute to tradition and craftsmanship in the Old Comber products.