Latest news with #AdrianMcLaughlin
Irish Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Irish hotel launches exclusive ‘appointment only' whiskey tasting flight costing over £1k
A NEWLY opened Irish hotel has launched a whiskey tasting flight which can only be enjoyed by appointment and costs a whopping £1,608. Harbourview Hotel in Co. Antrim describes itself as a 'destination whiskey hotel'. Adrian McLaughlin is co-owner of the Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough This week it has announced its Bushmills Whiskey tasting flight with Darryl McNally, who is the co-owner of the hotel and a former Bushmills master distiller. The selection on offer features some of the oldest and rarest whiskeys from the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, including four iconic Bushmills whiskeys. The Harbourview 1608 Tasting Flight costs £1,608 And the £1,608 price of the experience is a nod to the year 1608, when Bushmills was awarded its license to distil. 'As Ireland's first ever destination whiskey hotel, we pride ourselves on offering the finest collection of whiskeys, alongside exceptional events and experiences,' Harbourview Hotel co-owner Adrian McLaughlin said. 'To celebrate the opening, we wanted to create something special, and we're proud to present this exclusive whiskey flight in tribute to the iconic Old Bushmills Distillery, which is located just 40 miles from the hotel on our beautiful Causeway Coast,' he explained. 'This exclusive tasting flight will be an experience to savour for whiskey connoisseurs that might not otherwise get the opportunity to taste such rare whiskeys. 'It is offered alongside a core collection of 11 flights, with prices ranging from £15 to £40, and a special 'Owners Collection' of rare whiskeys priced at £570, meaning there is a flight to suit every budget.' The exclusive tasing flight is an 'appointment only' experience The hotel's 'off menu' 1608 Whiskey Flight is bookable by appointment only and includes two of the oldest and rarest bottles ever to be released from the Old Bushmills Distillery: Bushmills 46 Year Old Secrets of the River Bush, which was released in March 2025, and the Bushmills 36 Year Old Hill Street Edition, which was released in February 2024. There are also two rare whiskeys from the Bushmills Causeway Collection, a 33-year-old port cask and 18-year-old Grand Cru cask. With only 20 1608 flights available, the hotel says it will be a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience for whiskey connoisseurs'. The hotel has also announced thay it will donate one 1608 whiskey flight and overnight stay to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for use in their ongoing fundraising activities to support their work. The hotel, located in Carnlough, near Ballymena, opened to guests earlier this month. See More: Antrim, Ballymena, Bushmills, Harbourview Hotel, Whiskey Flight
Belfast Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Newly opened NI hotel offering £1,608 ‘once-in-a-lifetime' whiskey tasting experience
It has been created at what is described as Ireland's first ever destination whiskey hotel on the Co Antrim coastline. The newly opened Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough has curated the Bushmills Whiskey tasting experience with Darryl McNally, co-owner of the hotel and former Bushmills master distiller. The £1,608 'flight' – a tasting experience that allows the chance to sample different whiskeys without ordering several different glasses – was priced in tribute to the year that Bushmills was awarded its licence to distil. Just 20 flights are available, leading to the hotel describing it as a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience for whiskey connoisseurs'. Among the whiskeys featured are two of the oldest and rarest bottles ever to be released from the Old Bushmills Distillery – Bushmills 46 Year Old Secrets of the River Bush and the Bushmills 36 Year Old Hill Street Edition, alongside two rare whiskeys from the Bushmills Causeway Collection, a 33-year-old port cask and 18-year-old Grand Cru cask. It is being launched just ahead of The Open returning to Portrush this summer when visitors are due to flock to Northern Ireland. Harbourview Hotel co-owner Adrian McLaughlin said whiskey will be an integral part of the hotel, from resident nightcaps and a turndown gift of whiskey-infused chocolates to a special 'Whiskey Chamber' retail store. The hotel bar will serve a collection of more than 300 whiskeys, and a classic selection of whiskey cocktails. 'As Ireland's first ever destination whiskey hotel, we pride ourselves on offering the finest collection of whiskeys, alongside exceptional events and experiences,' he said. 'To celebrate the opening, we wanted to create something special, and we're proud to present this exclusive whiskey flight in tribute to the iconic Old Bushmills Distillery, which is located just 40 miles from the hotel on our beautiful Causeway Coast. 'This exclusive tasting flight will be an experience to savour for whiskey connoisseurs that might not otherwise get the opportunity to taste such rare whiskeys. 'It is offered alongside a core collection of 11 flights, with prices ranging from £15 to £40, and a special 'Owners Collection' of rare whiskeys priced at £570, meaning there is a flight to suit every budget.' Meanwhile, the hotel is planning to donate a 1608 whiskey flight and overnight stay for the RNLI to use in its ongoing fundraising activities to support their lifesaving work.
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Connoisseurs offered chance to taste some of world's oldest and rarest whiskeys
It has been created at what is described as Ireland's first ever destination whiskey hotel on the Co Antrim coastline. The newly opened Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough has curated the Bushmills Whiskey tasting experience with Darryl McNally, co-owner of the hotel and former Bushmills master distiller. The £1,608 'flight' – a tasting experience that allows the chance to sample different whiskeys without ordering several different glasses – was priced in tribute to the year that Bushmills was awarded its licence to distil. Just 20 flights are available, leading to the hotel describing it as a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience for whiskey connoisseurs'. Among the whiskeys featured are two of the oldest and rarest bottles ever to be released from the Old Bushmills Distillery – Bushmills 46 Year Old Secrets of the River Bush and the Bushmills 36 Year Old Hill Street Edition, alongside two rare whiskeys from the Bushmills Causeway Collection, a 33-year-old port cask and 18-year-old Grand Cru cask. It is being launched just ahead of The Open returning to Portrush this summer when visitors are due to flock to Northern Ireland. Harbourview Hotel co-owner Adrian McLaughlin said whiskey will be an integral part of the hotel, from resident nightcaps and a turndown gift of whiskey-infused chocolates to a special 'Whiskey Chamber' retail store. The hotel bar will serve a collection of more than 300 whiskeys, and a classic selection of whiskey cocktails. 'As Ireland's first ever destination whiskey hotel, we pride ourselves on offering the finest collection of whiskeys, alongside exceptional events and experiences,' he said. 'To celebrate the opening, we wanted to create something special, and we're proud to present this exclusive whiskey flight in tribute to the iconic Old Bushmills Distillery, which is located just 40 miles from the hotel on our beautiful Causeway Coast. 'This exclusive tasting flight will be an experience to savour for whiskey connoisseurs that might not otherwise get the opportunity to taste such rare whiskeys. 'It is offered alongside a core collection of 11 flights, with prices ranging from £15 to £40, and a special 'Owners Collection' of rare whiskeys priced at £570, meaning there is a flight to suit every budget.' Meanwhile, the hotel is planning to donate a 1608 whiskey flight and overnight stay for the RNLI to use in its ongoing fundraising activities to support their lifesaving work.
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
NI hotel to welcome overnight guests from next week following £1.6m revamp
The Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough, formerly The Londonderry Arms, has announced it's open to overnight guests from Monday, May 19. Soft openings for its restaurants and bars have been taking place over the last few weeks. The venue was acquired by a team led by hotelier Adrian McLaughlin, master Irish whiskey distiller, Darryl McNally and entrepreneur Carl Harrison in summer last year. The trio, who also own Outwalker and Limavady Whiskey, have carried out what they described as an 'extensive yet sensitive restoration' of the venue, which is located along the Causeway Coast. Described as 'Ireland's first whiskey hotel,' its bar will serve over 300 whiskeys and classic whiskey cocktails. Mr McLaughlin, a former general manager at Belfast's Merchant Hotel and Carton House in Co Kildare, said: 'We are excited that our vision for this historic hotel will soon become a reality. 'From the outset, we have endeavoured to build on the legacy of this landmark building, which has been at the cornerstone of the local community for generations. 'The people of Carnlough and the surrounding areas have welcomed us with open arms and it's been heartening to see the incredibly positive response from the local community in recent months. 'We've poured our passion for Irish whiskey into the development of our unique food and beverage offerings and exciting events programmes. We look forward to toasting the opening of Ireland's first whiskey hotel, with our first guests in the weeks and months ahead.' The team said the hotel's new name is a nod to the village's 'picturesque harbour views'. The property was built 1848 by Frances Anne Vane Tempest, and once owned by Sir Winston Churchill, who inherited the property in 1921. The new owners said: 'Retaining stunning features including open fires and original terrazzo flooring, the new hotel features a newly refurbished bar, lounge and restaurant, offering the perfect blend of timeless charm and modern Irish hospitality.' Each of the 35 bedrooms have been redecorated and revamped, they added. And in the bar, famous heritage whiskey brands like Midleton and The Macallan will be served alongside Copeland, Bushmills, Ardbeg, Shortcross, plus The Harbourview's own Outwalker and Limavady whiskeys. There will be a programme of monthly events, including boat trips to Islay for guided tours of the Bruichladdich and Ardbeg distilleries. And The Carnlough Whiskey Festival from August 20 to 23 August will be a key event on the hotel's schedule this summer. The hotel's Coach House bar and restaurant will offer all day dining from 12 to 8.30pm, while its MacAuley Suite can cater for weddings and private events with over 80 guests. Mr McLaughlin spoke to Business Telegraph last year about the decision to take on The Londonderry Arms. 'Darryl and I have been working together for the last couple of years to develop Outwalker and Limavady Irish Whiskey, and we've built up a nice working relationship. 'This hotel came along and we decided it has got a lot of charm, there's a lot of history there. For us right now it's probably the right size, so it ticks a lot of boxes. News Catch Up - Monday 12 May 'So we thought how would we make it a new destination if we were to take it on. The thought that kept coming up was that a whiskey hotel just made sense, given our combined skillsets. There isn't one in Ireland but there are some in Scotland. 'From the research we carried out, this will be considerably different and will offer whiskey experiences to complement what the hotel can do. It will show off whiskey in a way others haven't thought about.'
