Why San Francisco is close to the hearts of our whiskey producers
Food NI members The Echlinville Distillery in Kircubbin, home of Dunville’s Irish
Whiskey, Hinch in Ballynahinch and Two Stacks in Newry, a leading bonder and
blender, were successful at the recent globally supported San Francisco World
Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
The impressive results from Echlinville, Hinch and Two Stacks and other local
distilleries once again demonstrate the quality and innovation of whiskeys being
developed by independent producers here. Today, the whiskey industry is
thriving and generating sales to around 50 different nations, including major
markets such as North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Echlinville recently strengthened its position in the fastest growing global
markets. And Two Stacks in Newry, among the smallest producers, has seen
major export successes for its Dram in a Can canned single malt. It has won
global acclaim for this important innovation. Two Stacks gained three awards for
Double Irish Cream Liqueur, for a unique malt whiskey and the pioneering Dram
in a Can.
Owned by entrepreneur Terry Cross, Hinch, one of Ireland’s most impressive
distilleries, won two other awards for its small batch malts and blends. Hinch
Distillery in Balynahinch, among Ireland’s most modern facilities, gained gold for
its peated single malt. Chairman and founder Terry Cross says: “The whiskey is
now recognised as among the world’ best. It’s a bold, smoky whiskey that’s
crafted without compromise.” Hinch won two other awards for its small batch
malts and blends.
Echlinville Distillery, Ireland’s only field-to-fork spirit producer, collected five
awards, including double golds for Dunville’s Single Malt, in the global
competition, which is run by The Tasting Alliance and is the largest spirit
challenge in North America, with judges tasting more than 5,000 entries this
year. From those entries, more than 3,000 medals were awarded, including
more than 600 double golds.
Among other local successes in San Francisco were Bushmills, winner of 10
awards including two double golds; The Sexton, also from Bushmills;
Limavady’s Irish single barrel single malt, winner of a double gold for its single
malt
McConnell’s Irish Whiskey, which operates a distillery in the old Crumlin Road
Gaol in Belfast and recently welcomed 20,000 visitors, gained two double golds
for its sherry cask finish single malt and its five-year-old single malt.
There was an award too for Outwalker blended Irish whiskey.
