US drinks giant launches revamped Irish distillery – with Co Antrim woman as master blender
Sazerac, which owns Fireball whisky and several award-winning distilleries around the globe, has transformed the former Loch Gill distillery into Hawk's Rock Distillery.
The US giant is behind the Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky and Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France, as well as Paul John Distillery in Goa, India.
President and CEO Jake Wenz spoke of his pride at the new vision taking shape in Sligo.
He said: 'The renaming of Hawk's Rock Distillery marks a new, yet familiar, frontier for us.
'Sazerac is known for its balanced approach to honouring tradition while embracing change in constant pursuit of crafting the world's best spirits at our distilleries in America, India, Canada and France.
'Our mission holds true for Ireland, and we are excited to reveal how we are blending time-honoured traditions with bold innovation to advance the art of Irish whiskey-making.'
Hawk's Rock will continue to produce and age Irish whiskey under the watchful eye of master blender Helen Mulholland, formerly of Bushmills, on the 100-acre site in Sligo which includes the historic landmark of Hazelwood House.
The company says the name change reflects Sazerac Company's 'vision for the future of Irish whiskey' including 'the art and science of blending, innovation and respect for Sligo's rich heritage'.
The distillery is named after a prominent outcrop in the Ox Mountains which inspired Nobel Prize-winning poet William Butler Yeats' play, At the Hawk's Well.
Sazerac says Hawk's Rock Distillery aims to become a 'global hub for Irish whiskey, while offering a gateway to explore the rich traditions of Sligo and the surrounding region.'
Helen Mulholland, who was the first female master blender in Irish whiskey history, is leading the team.
She also serves as chair of the Irish Whiskey Association and is a Whiskey Hall of Fame inductee.
Helen and her team are behind the creation and blending of Hawk's Rock's innovative new-to-world Irish whiskey brands, the first of which will debut in June.
Mr Wenz added: 'This rebrand is just the beginning for Hawk's Rock Distillery.
'Throughout the changes, our vision remains the same – creating a track record for the aging and blending of award-winning whiskeys – and this name change brings us one step closer to bringing that vision to life.'
Sazerac Company acquired Lough Gill Distillery in 2022, and said it was drawn to 'by its historical significance and the cultural richness of Ireland'.
Since acquisition the team has upgraded and tripled its warehouse capacity, expanded production and has significantly modernised the distillery.
While currently closed to the public during renovations, Sazerac has received planning permission to develop a future visitor experience on-site in Sligo, part of which will include Hazelwood House.
The company has hired a Grade 1 conservation architect from Howley Hayes Cooney Studio in Dublin to oversee its restoration.
The phased delivery of this plan is currently in the works with Sazerac saying they 'look forward to welcoming visitors in the future'.
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