Ger Buckley, Head Cooper
Staff from 15 Irish whiskey distilleries took part in a landmark mentoring event in Irish Distillers’ Midleton Distillery as part of the Irish Whiskey Association’s (IWA) mentoring programme last week. The IWA mentoring programme involves established global Irish whiskey players such as Irish Distillers and Bushmills offering support to newer market entrants.
Peter Cooney, Boann Distillery, Ger Buckley, Head Cooper at Irish Distillers, Kevin O’Gorman, Head of Maturation, and Sally Anne Cooney, Boann Distillery.
Participants in the programme were provided with information and guidance on creating the finest quality Irish whiskey. Through practical demonstrations with established global Irish whiskey companies, participants learn the distillation, maturation and blending secrets that have driven the phenomenal success of this category on the global stage and that has seen Irish whiskey become the fastest growing spirits category in the world.
The workshop on cooperage and maturation aimed to provide new and recent entrants to the Irish whiskey industry with the opportunity to learn first-hand from some of the most experienced craftsmen in the Irish whiskey industry. Elements of the programme included sessions on wood purchasing, the skills of cooperage, cask handling, and the principles of maturation and blending.
Ireland’s whiskey renaissance has seen the number of operational distilleries increase from 4 to 18 in just four years. Increased competition is very welcome and is helping drive growth and it’s great to see that the competition in our industry is being matched by an amazing sense of solidarity.
Our ongoing mentoring programme and last week’s workshop is testament to this solidarity which has at its core a commitment to maintaining the high standards which form part of the rich and long history of Irish whiskey distilling.
– William Lavelle: Head of the Irish Whiskey Association
Here at Irish Distillers, we’re always eager to work with people who share our passion for Irish whiskey. Over the years, we’ve always gone out of our way to work with anyone who wanted advice or mentoring on whiskey projects and it’s great to be able to collaborate with even more people thanks to the IWA mentoring programme. Days like this when we get to share insights into our cooperage and maturation approach allow us all to build the positive culture of collaboration that is so prevalent within the industry.
Seeing the passion of those working in the emerging Irish whiskey distilleries first-hand is invigorating and knowing that the future of Irish whiskey is in safe hands is truly inspiring.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Head of Maturation at the Midleton Distillery
Midleton is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-
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