The Echlinville Distillery has announced a £5 million investment to acquire the former Ards Maltings building in Co Down, with plans to malt barley on an industrial scale at the historic Ards Peninsula site.
Launched over a decade ago by Shane Braniff, Echlinville became the north’s first licensed distillery in over 125 years, distilling its first spirit in 2013.
Alongside the historic Dunville’s Irish whiskey brand, the Kircubbin distillery has also revived Old Comber, and makes the popular Jawbox Gin.
Mr Braniff said while his team currently floor malt their barley on the distillery farm, the latest development will enable Echlinville to malt barley on an industrial scale.
He said it makes it the only distillery on the island of Ireland with the capacity to produce, malt, ferment and distil its spirit from field to glass.
Ards Maltings was once one of Ireland’s largest malting houses, supplying malted barley to distilleries and breweries across the island.
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The site, which has planning approval for a residential scheme, was previously marketed by Simon Brien estate agents with a guide price of £1.35m.
Echlinville, backed by Bank of Ireland UK, have now announced their purchase.
“We’ve always been proud of our roots here in the Ards Peninsula and we complete every stage of the production process from the ground up on site at our distillery, from growing and harvesting the barley on our family farm, right through to hand labelling and bottling the finest spirits that we produce,” said Mr Braniff.
“The Ards Peninsula has historically been known as one of the finest grain growing regions in Ireland, so it’s no coincidence that Ards Maltings was established at the northern end of the Peninsula, malting barley from the surrounding farms and becoming one of the country’s largest malting houses.
“In its day, Ards Malting provided malted barley to distilleries and breweries around Ireland, including such companies as Guinness, Bushmills and Comber Distilleries - the home of Old Comber Whiskey, a brand that we revived and now produce at Echlinville.
“We are delighted to be able to bring that particular story full circle.”
He described the former industrial site as one the area’s most iconic buildings.
“We are excited to be able to restore the building for the purpose for which it was first built while continuing on our journey to put County Down back on the world whiskey map.
“Our focus has always been on providing quality, exceptional flavour and instilling excellence from field to glass in the production of the finest quality spirits, and Ards Maltings will play an important role in the future growth of our business.”
Gavin North, senior business manager at Bank of Ireland UK said: “Shane and the team at Echlinville Distillery have been quietly leading the regeneration of quality local whiskey production and their pursuit of excellence in every aspect is admired and recognised by the significant international awards they have achieved to date.
“We’re pleased to have provided the funding to support this next phase of their sustainable business plan and look forward to working closely with the team as they continue to achieve success locally and globally, placing Echlinville Distillery firmly on the internationally acclaimed whiskey tourism map.”
