60 | THE LOCAL TOURIST
www.nitravelnews.com
January 2024
Ciao Barolo! The Copeland Distillery Harnesses Italian Taste as it Unveils Limited-Edition Whiskey
RENOWNED for its commitment to innovation and craftmanship, The Copeland Distillery has unveiled its latest creation – a limited-edition Barolo cask- finished Irish whiskey – which combines the elegance of Italy’s most acclaimed red wine with the producer’s Merchants’ Quay Blended Irish Whiskey. The Co. Down Distillery, which prioritises taste and innovation, has a growing reputation for quality having won a string of international awards for its gin, rum and more recently its Coffee Liqueur.
Its
pedigree in whiskey has become evident over the last four years, with over 400 casks, the equivalent of over 150,000 bottles, currently maturing in its own cask warehouse on the Ards Peninsula. The limited- edition Barolo cask-finished Irish
Local Actor and Producer James Nesbitt Joins Hinch Distillery in a Unique Collaborative Partnership
HINCH Distillery, the whiskey and gin distillery on the outskirts of Belfast, has announced a partnership with local actor and producer, James Nesbitt. In what is a new collaboration for the distillery — pairing up with another major Northern Irish export — the move will see James play an integral part of the Hinch Distillery journey, helping promote the distillery and its award- winning whiskeys, as well as supporting upcoming releases. James Nesbitt, renowned for his extensive portfolio of
over 75 television and film titles, including notable works like Bloodlands, Cold Feet, Lucky Man, The Missing, The Hobbit, Monroe, Murphy’s Law, and Bloody Sunday, has immersed himself in the world of Hinch Distillery. He has toured the distillery, connected with the dedicated team, and developed a deep appreciation for the exceptional whiskeys crafted with precision and care there. Founder of Hinch Distillery, Dr Terry Cross OBE, said:
“We are delighted to welcome James Nesbitt to the Hinch Distillery family. His passion for our craft and commitment to Northern Ireland’s talent perfectly aligns with our values. This partnership is not just about endorsements; it’s about shared passion and vision and an appreciation of all the good things to come out of Northern Ireland.” James Nesbitt added: “I’m thrilled to be joining forces with Hinch Distillery. As a proud Northern Irishman, I have always admired the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into creating Hinch Irish whiskeys and Ninth Wave Irish gins. This partnership is an opportunity to celebrate the best of our region and its iconic brands.” This innovative collaboration will see James actively involved in the distillery’s initiatives and connecting with the distillery’s passionate supporters. Together, they will continue to promote Northern Ireland’s rich heritage and craftsmanship, showcasing the global appeal of Hinch Distillery’s whiskeys and gins. Hinch Distillery, which was launched in 2019, has established itself as a global star in the whiskey and gin industry and today is known for its commitment to producing premium spirits.
Despite launching on the cusp of the pandemic and operating mostly during lockdowns, the distillery is thriving and expanding its presence in global markets, of which there are over 30 and counting.
It has also cemented a place on the tourism map here,
with its guided distillery tours and hospitality offering, including the recent addition of a dog-friendly cafe and expanded its production line from 400,000 to 1.2 million litres of pure alcohol (LPA) a year.
James Nesbitt’s partnership with Hinch Distillery signifies a new chapter for the business, one that is filled with exciting possibilities for both parties. Together, they will elevate the recognition of Northern Ireland’s produce, talent, and iconic brands while making a positive impact on the community through their shared charitable endeavours.
Maritime Belfast Trust
Awarded Green Tourism Gold Award
MARITIME Belfast Trust,
the charity
responsible for promoting and preserving Belfast’s maritime heritage has
received Tourism, gold a
Gold award from industry specialists, Green
for
its commitment to sustainability. Previous
award
winners have included London’s Tower Bridge and Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Maritime Belfast applied for the internationally recognised Green Tourism Standard
with
funding and support from Belfast City Council and Visit Belfast. The Green Tourism Standard recognises organisations that work responsibly, ethically, and sustainably, contribute to the community, reduce their environment impact and are accessible and inclusive to all visitors and staff.
Belfast City Council and
Visit Belfast are working with Green Tourism
to position
the city as a leader in sustainable tourism and help support businesses achieve sustainable growth.
£3M Work Begins at City Quays Gardens, Belfast
BELFAST Harbour has commenced work on the City Quays Gardens, a £3m project to develop a vibrant new urban garden in the city which is expected to be completed by August 2024.
The City Quays Gardens project has been masterplanned in a number of phases, with the phase one investment focusing on the creation of a 2-acre green public space on land between City Quays and the historic Belfast Harbour Office. Northern Ireland construction firm Northstone has been appointed as lead contractor for the project, which will develop new public space for local and visiting communities which will blend the rich industrial and maritime heritage of the area with an innovative and sustainable design.
City Quays Gardens aims to achieve
the ‘One Planet Living’ environmental accreditation, a first in Northern Ireland.
The Gardens incorporates
an eco-conscious design and aims to create new habitats for wildlife, enhancing biodiversity.
Whiskey is a significant step in its journey, as it looks ahead to the release of its malt and pot-still whiskies in 2024. Barolo, referred to as ‘The King of Wines’, is produced in Northern Italy using a grape variety called Nebbiolo.
The Distillery has
sourced the finest Barolo casks and aged its Merchants’ Quay Blended Whiskey for exactly eight months to create a whiskey that has hints of spice, elderflower, candy apple sweetness, and lime citrus. Founder
of The Copeland
Distillery, Gareth Irvine, said, “I’m immensely proud of the strides we have made in whiskey production, and this
unique, limited-edition
release is reflective of the artistry and innovation in our approach to whiskey-making. It serves as a taste of what’s to come with 2024 set to
be a milestone year for us. Whiskey is an incredibly important category for any Distillery on this island with Irish whiskey is expected to exceed Scotch whiskey in the USA by 2030. Our single malt and pot- still whiskey portfolio will allow us to target the premium end of the whiskey market, grow our distribution footprint and unlock greater potential for reinvestment.” The Distillery sent its first shipment to the US in 2022 where interest for uniquely crafted spirits continues to grow,
particularly
with the Irish diaspora. Imported through MHW Ltd. in New York the brand now has distribution partners in nine states including New York, Tennessee,
Missouri, Colorado,
and more recently Florida. The Distillery’s expanded
whiskey
portfolio supports its global export ambitions in key territories including Australia and the US, and emerging markets such as Africa.
Arizona, Georgia
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