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West Cork distillery

The West Cork Distillers were founded in 2008 by three friends with the intention of reproducing the true Irish whiskey character through West Cork, distilling the best spirits in the world and then allowing them to mature. The company is based in Skibbereen, a small town in the south of the Emerald Isle and the unofficial capital of the West Cork region.

In order to get close to their ideal and to produce the best possible Irish whiskey, the three founders brought top-class knowledge on board. Thus, Dr. Barry Walsh, the since deceased former master distiller of the Irish Distillers Group (IDG) and Frank McHardy, the former master distiller of Springbank, on the Scottish peninsula of Campbeltown were brought in to bring the trio up to speed.

The current distillery cost around €1.5 million for the former fish-processing plant on Skibbereen’s Marsh Road, which was bestowed with the no-nonsense name West Cork Distillers

West Cork factsheet

Name Pronounced AKA Region Country of Origin
West Cork Cork Ireland
Status Active Whisky Type Website Tours Available
Active 2003 - Present Malt West Cork Not Available
Manager Distiller Blender Owned by Parent Group
Frank Mchardy John O' Connell; Denis McCarthy and Ger McCarthy

West Cork Timeline:

2008: West Cork Distillers was founded in 2008 by childhood friends in in Skibbereen in the heart of West Cork

Can I tour West Cork?

No, unfortunately West Cork distillery is not open to the public for tours