History

• At least 12 generations of the Walsh family have been farmers at the foot of Croagh Patrick in Mayo. The oldest known anecdote goes back to an ancestor who was a renowned pot-still-maker—a family legend that later became the story behind St. Patrick’s Distillery.
• The family's meeting of tradition and modernity took place in the old St. Patrick’s Woollen Mills in Douglas, Cork, where the business becomes a bridge between serendipity, tradition, modern technology and a worldwide appetite for authentic products and experiences. Cyril Walsh, co-founder, describes the spirit as a tribute to the ancestors and their efforts.
• The company was established in 2014 (incorporated as An Práta ion Teoranta in April 2014, renamed St. Patrick’s Distillery Limited in August 2014). From 2015 the launch of Potato Vodka and Potato Gin began, subsequently expanded to a broad range of spirits, including export desks and regional sales.
• St. Patrick’s Distillery is actively committed to sustainability and quality through memberships such as Origin Green and Guaranteed Irish. They have set targets for 2024, including 80% of new packaging from suppliers with sustainability certification and 100% recyclable packaging; in addition, a focus on community engagement through support of local charitable organizations.
• The company has been innovation- and export-driven: exports to the USA (2016), the UK (2017), Canada (2017) and China (2019); has received a number of awards and recognitions including IWSC, LSC, Blas na hÉireann and other competitions over the years.
• The core idea of the production is to combine potato-based spirits (vodka and gin) with a whiskey production based on malting of whole grain and triple distillation. The whiskeys are matured in first-fill bourbon barrels and finished in cognac, port or sherry/oloroso casks, giving a versatile flavor profile.

Production / Manufacturing

• Potato-based Spirits: Vodka and Gin are wholly or partly based on 100% potatoes (potato spirit) and produced as small-batch spirits with a gluten-free profile due to grain-free distillation.
• Whiskey production: Whiskey is triple-distilled and made from a mix of grain and malted barley. It primarily matures in first-fill American Oak Bourbon barrels and is finished in port, sherry, cognac or other finish casks, depending on the product.
• Aging and Blending: All whiskies start in first-fill bourbon barrels and undergo finishing in specific cask variants. The mentioned products also describe a blend of 3-year-old grain whiskies with older malts up to 15 years in some editions – part of a flexible approach to aging and finish.
• Other products: In addition to whiskey, they also produce Irish Cream Liqueur, Irish Poitín, Moonshine and a range of spirits such as Potato Vodka and gin. Their production also includes special-label products and the possibility of cask investment.
• Sustainability in production: The company highlights sustainable practices and environmental responsibility across all links in the value chain as part of Origin Green and All-Ireland Pollinator Plan involvement.

Products / Whisky Series

• Single Malt Irish Whiskey: Triple-distilled, malted barley, aged in American bourbon barrels and finished in cognac/port/sherry cask depending on the edition (for example Cognac Cask Finished, Bourbon Cask Aged, Peated and Port/Sherry finish variants).
• Blended Whisky: A blend of different whiskies (grain/malt/pot still) with focus on balance and flavor, for example classic Irish Whisky and other blends.
• Irish Cream Liqueur: Cream-based liqueur and variants such as Cappuccino, Salted Caramel and Original, all based on triple-distilled whiskey and fresh Irish milk cream.
• Various finish editions: 12-Year-Old Port Cask Finish, 10-Year-Old Sherry Cask Finish, 7-Year-Old, 21-Year-Old, and a range of Limited Editions such as John Aldridge 1994 Edition and Shandon Bells Cask Aged.
• Cask Aged series: Products such as Cask Aged Irish Whiskey (with secondary finish and age) and other age-dependent bottles described in the Whisky range with medal accolades from IWSC and other competitions.
• Other spirits and innovation: Diverse releases such as Irish Poitín (53%), Moonshine (53%), Potato Vodka and Honey Irish Whiskey Liqueur, as well as a range of Legacy products such as Ballyhooly Blue Ribbon and Shankly Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey. The level of medals and accolades demonstrates a broad portfolio beyond whisky.
• Price and availability: The products span a broad range of ABV and bottle sizes (typically 700 ml bottles), with notes on flavors and awards described across several sections as part of the product description.

Visit / Experiences

• Tasting Room: Located close to Cork city centre in a traditional pub atmosphere, with insights into Irish whiskey culture and a range of tasting experiences. Prices start around €22 per person for Core tasting, €26 for Venture and €30 for Discovery, with the option for private group bookings up to 25 people.
• Bottle Your Whiskey Experience: A hands-on experience where you bottle your own whiskey directly from the cask, personal label and participation in a guided tasting of three selected whiskies – about €59.95.
• Booking and access: Availability for advance booking via GetYourGuide, phone contact and walk-ins during opening hours. The opening hours are weekday slots (Monday–Friday, 14:00–17:00) with walk-ins depending on space.
• Shop and travel: The shop next to the tasting room offers selected spirits and gift ideas; information is available about public transport (bus 206/207 from Cork City Centre) and a stop at Douglas Shopping Centre.
• Events and private arrangements: Availability for private group gatherings and corporate events in an intimate setting.

Philosophy / Sustainability

• Origin Green and Guaranteed Irish: St. Patrick’s Distillery is an active member of Origin Green (sustainability program) and Guaranteed Irish (national sourcing and credibility). They describe extensive sustainability goals and community engagement.
• All-Ireland Pollinator Plan: They work as partners in biodiversity and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.
• Environment and local engagement: Emphasis is placed on using local ingredients, reducing the CO2 footprint, protecting biodiversity, and supporting the local economy through ethical and environmentally friendly production.
• Packaging and sustainability: Plans to source 80% of new packaging from suppliers with sustainability certification and 100% recyclable packaging by 2024.
• Trust and provenance: As members of Guaranteed Irish and Origin Green they highlight jobs, origin and community connections as core values.