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Coordinates: 53°59′47.9″N 6°13′17.6″W / 53.996639°N 6.221556°W / 53.996639; -6.221556
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{{short description|Whiskey distillery in County Louth, Ireland}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{use Hiberno-English|date=October 2020}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox whisky distillery
{{Infobox whisky distillery
| name = Cooley Distillery
| name = Cooley Distillery
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| location = [[County Louth]]
| location = [[County Louth]]
|coordinates ={{Coord|53|59|47.9|N|6|13|17.6|W|region:IE_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates ={{Coord|53|59|47.9|N|6|13|17.6|W|region:IE_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| owner = [[Beam Suntory]]<br>([[Suntory]])
| owner = [[Suntory Global Spirits]]
| founded = 1987
| founded = 1987
| founder = John Teeling
| founder = John Teeling
Line 15: Line 17:
| status = Operating
| status = Operating
| source =
| source =
| stills = 2 pot stills (wash still: 16,000 L, spirit still: 16,000 L; 3 column stills)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Muldoon |first1=Seán |last2=McGarry |first2=Jack |last3=Herlihy |first3=Tim |title=From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland |date=2019 |publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing |location=Missoui, USA |isbn=978-1-4494-8993-9}}</ref>
| stills = 2 pot stills (wash still: 16,000 L, spirit still: 16,000 L; 3 column stills)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Muldoon |first1=Seán |last2=McGarry |first2=Jack |last3=Herlihy |first3=Tim |title=From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland |date=2019 |publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing |location=Missouri, USA |isbn=978-1-4494-8993-9}}</ref>
| capacity =
| capacity =
| mothballed = <!-- date, if it is no longer in use -->
| mothballed = <!-- date, if it is no longer in use -->
Line 23: Line 25:
| type_1 =
| type_1 =
| age_1 =
| age_1 =
| cask_1 = Bourbon Casks<ref>{{cite web |title=Connemara Peated Single Malt |url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/kilbeggan-and-cooley-irish-whiskey-distilleries/Connemara-Irish-Whiskey/connemara-peated |website=Celtic Whiskey Shop |accessdate=7 June 2019}}</ref>
| cask_1 = Bourbon Casks<ref>{{cite web |title=Connemara Peated Single Malt |url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/kilbeggan-and-cooley-irish-whiskey-distilleries/Connemara-Irish-Whiskey/connemara-peated |website=Celtic Whiskey Shop |access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>
| abv_1 = 40%
| abv_1 = 40%
| taste_1 =
| taste_1 =
Line 29: Line 31:
| type_2 =
| type_2 =
| age_2 =
| age_2 =
| cask_2 = Fresh Bourbon Casks, small portion in 2nd and 3rd<ref>{{cite web |title=Kilbeggan Whiskey |url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/kilbeggan-whiskey |website=Celtic Whiskey Shop |accessdate=7 June 2019}}</ref>
| cask_2 = Fresh Bourbon Casks, small portion in 2nd and 3rd<ref>{{cite web |title=Kilbeggan Whiskey |url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/kilbeggan-whiskey |website=Celtic Whiskey Shop |access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>
| abv_2 = 40%
| abv_2 = 40%
| taste_2 =
| taste_2 =
Line 35: Line 37:
| type_3 =
| type_3 =
| age_3 =
| age_3 =
| cask_3 = Bourbon Casks<ref>{{cite web |title=Tyrconnell Single Malt 43% |url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/kilbeggan-and-cooley-irish-whiskey-distilleries/Tyrconnell-Single-Malt-Irish-Whiskey/Tyrconnell-Single-Malt-43 |website=Celtic Whiskey Shop |accessdate=7 June 2019}}</ref>
| cask_3 = Bourbon Casks<ref>{{cite web |title=Tyrconnell Single Malt 43% |url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/kilbeggan-and-cooley-irish-whiskey-distilleries/Tyrconnell-Single-Malt-Irish-Whiskey/Tyrconnell-Single-Malt-43 |website=Celtic Whiskey Shop |access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>
| abv_3 = 43%
| abv_3 = 43%
| taste_3 =
| taste_3 =
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[[File:Cooley Distillery - Low Res.jpg|thumb|Cooley Distillery in the Cooley Mountains]]
[[File:Cooley Distillery - Low Res.jpg|thumb|Cooley Distillery in the Cooley Mountains]]
[[File:Cooleys copper pots.jpg|thumb|Cooley's copper pot stills]]
[[File:Cooleys copper pots.jpg|thumb|Cooley's copper pot stills]]
'''Cooley Distillery''' is an [[Irish whiskey]] distillery, located on the [[Cooley Peninsula]] in [[County Louth]], Ireland,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cooley Distillery|url=http://www.proof66.com/distillery.php?id=64|archive-url=https://archive.is/20120910105822/http://www.proof66.com/distillery.php?id=64|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2012|accessdate=30 May 2011}}</ref> converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by John Teeling. On 16 December 2011 [[Beam Inc.]] announced plans to purchase Cooley for around US$95 million (€71 million).<ref>{{cite news|title=Cooley Distillery sold in €71m deal
⚫
|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1216/cooley-business.html|accessdate=16 December 2011 | work=RTÉ News|date=16 December 2011}}</ref> The sale closed on 17 January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beam completes acquisition of Cooley Distillery|url=http://investor.beamglobal.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=640210|accessdate=11 March 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201122153/http://investor.beamglobal.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=640210|archivedate=1 February 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Beam was then purchased by [[Suntory Holdings]] on 30 April 2014, and became its [[Beam Suntory]] subsidiary.


'''Cooley Distillery''' is an [[Irish whiskey]] distillery on the [[Cooley Peninsula]] in [[County Louth]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] founded in 1987 and owned by [[Suntory Global Spirits]], an subsidiary of [[Suntory Holdings]] of [[Osaka, Japan]].
⚫
==History==
John Teeling bought the former State potato schnapps distillery in 1985. In less than two years, Teeling converted the distillery to have two [[column still]]s.


The distillery was converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by entrepreneur [[John Teeling]]. On 16 December 2011 [[Beam Inc.]] announced plans to purchase Cooley for around US$95&nbsp;million (€71&nbsp;million); the deal closed a month later, and the distillery now belongs to [[Suntory Global Spirits]], since [[Suntory]] bought Beam in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beam completes acquisition of Cooley Distillery|url=http://investor.beamglobal.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=640210|access-date=11 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201122153/http://investor.beamglobal.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=640210|archive-date=1 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cooley Distillery|url=http://www.proof66.com/distillery.php?id=64|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910105822/http://www.proof66.com/distillery.php?id=64|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2012|access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>
⚫
In 1998, Cooley received a trophy at the [[International Wine and Spirit Competition]] (IWSC) for outstanding quality, and for earning an impressive reputation over time. Cooley was the first distillery to be awarded the trophy.


In December 2011, Cooley was purchased by Beam Inc. for $95 million (€71 million). Beam was then purchased by [[Suntory Holdings]] of [[Osaka, Japan]] on 30 April 2014, and became its [[Beam Suntory]] subsidiary.


⚫
==History==
Since the change of ownership, visitor access to the distillery is limited and public tours are not available.<ref>[[Ben_Birdsall|Birdsall, Ben]](2018): The Distilleries of Ireland by Vespa, Wittenborg University Press, The Netherlands. {{ISBN|978-94-93066-00-7}}</ref>
⚫
John Teeling bought a former State-owned industrial potato alcohol distillery in 1985. In less than two years, Teeling converted the distillery to have two [[column still]]s. In 1998, Cooley received a trophy at the [[International Wine and Spirit Competition]] (IWSC) for outstanding quality, and for earning an impressive reputation over time. Cooley was the first distillery to be awarded the trophy.


On 16 December 2011 [[Beam Inc.]] announced plans to purchase Cooley for around US$95&nbsp;million (€71&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite news|title=Cooley Distillery sold in €71m deal
⚫
Following the sale, John Teeling went on to found the nearby Great Northern Distillery, while his children Jack and Stephen established the [[Teeling Distillery]] in Dublin, using stock acquired from Cooley under the terms of the sale agreement with Beam.<ref>{{Cite book|url=|title=From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland|last=Muldoon|first=Seán|last2=McGarry|first2=Jack|last3=Herlihy|first3=Tim|publisher=|year=|isbn=978-1-4494-8993-9|location=Missouri, USA|pages=|oclc=1096187220}}</ref>
⚫
|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1216/cooley-business.html|access-date=16 December 2011 | work=RTÉ News|date=16 December 2011}}</ref> The sale closed on 17 January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beam completes acquisition of Cooley Distillery|url=http://investor.beamglobal.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=640210|access-date=11 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201122153/http://investor.beamglobal.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=640210|archive-date=1 February 2012}}</ref> Beam was then purchased by [[Suntory Holdings]] of [[Osaka]], Japan on 30 April 2014, and since became its [[Suntory Global Spirits]] subsidiary. Since the change of ownership, visitor access to the distillery is limited and public tours are not available.<ref>[[Ben Birdsall|Birdsall, Ben]](2018): The Distilleries of Ireland by Vespa, Wittenborg University Press, The Netherlands. {{ISBN|978-94-93066-00-7}}</ref>


⚫
Following the sale, John Teeling went on to found the Great Northern Distillery in the nearest town, [[Dundalk]], and his two younger children, Jack and Stephen, established the Teeling Whiskey Company in Dublin, establishing their brands using stock acquired from Cooley under the terms of the sale agreement with Beam, while building and bringing into production the [[Teeling Distillery]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland|last1=Muldoon|first1=Seán|last2=McGarry|first2=Jack|last3=Herlihy|first3=Tim|date=March 2019|isbn=978-1-4494-8993-9|location=Missouri, USA|oclc=1096187220}}</ref>
⚫
==Current product range==
[[File:Cooley Distillery Front Gate June 2024.jpg|thumb|Cooley June 2024]]
⚫
* [[Kilbeggan Distillery|Kilbeggan]] — a [[blended whiskey]], Kilbeggan was originally distilled at the Kilbeggan Distillery, which is now owned by Beam Suntory. Best known for its non-age stated version, in 2007, a 15-year aged version was released. An 18-year aged whiskey has also been released.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kilbeggan Whiskey Official Site|url=http://kilbegganwhiskey.com/whiskey/family.aspx|accessdate=30 May 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
⚫
* Kilbeggan Single Grain — formerly marketed as Greenore, this is a single [[grain whiskey]], made with [[corn]] alone, and aged in [[Bourbon whisky|Bourbon]] casks. Kilbeggan Single Grain is found with several age statements; 6-, 8-, 15-, and 18-year versions are produced, although the 15- and 18-year releases are relatively rare (5,000 and 4,000 bottles, respectively).
⚫
* Connemara — a peated [[single malt whiskey]], Connemara is double-distilled<ref>{{cite web|title=Connemara Whiskey Official Site|url=http://connemarawhiskey.com/#/the-whiskey-introduction/|accessdate=30 May 2011}}</ref> rather than the more usual triple-distillation process that most Irish whiskeys undergo. It is aged in Bourbon casks. Several versions are found; single-cask, cask-strength, 12-year, and a high-peat version called "Turf Mór."
⚫
* [[Tyrconnell (whiskey)|The Tyrconnell]] — a single malt whiskey, The Tyrconnell was acquired as a brand by Cooley in 1988 after being dormant since 1925, when the old Watt's Distillery (the original producers of The Tyrconnell) closed.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Tyrconnell Heritage|url=http://tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_heritage/Heritage.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041212201934/http://www.tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_heritage/Heritage.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2004|accessdate=30 May 2011}}</ref>
⚫
* 2 Gingers - A blended whiskey founded in 2011 by Minnesota bar owner and businessman Kieran Folliard. The 2 Gingers Whiskey Co. was acquired by Beam Inc. a year after the product was initially released.<ref>{{cite web|title=About 2 Gingers|url=http://www.2gingerswhiskey.com/about/|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-url=https://archive.is/20140213191455/http://www.2gingerswhiskey.com/about/|archive-date=13 February 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==Product range==
⚫
Cooley also released a [[Single pot still whiskey|single pot still]] [[poitín]], which was available at the Celtic Whiskey Shop in [[Dublin]] and at [[Dublin Airport]], with the intention of expanding production to release it in other markets such as the US.<ref>{{cite news|last=Raskin|first=Hannah|title=Irish Moonshine Could Be the Next Absinthe|url=http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/voracious/2012/01/irish_moonshine_could_be_the_n.php|accessdate=29 January 2012|newspaper=Seattle Weekly|date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130075308/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/voracious/2012/01/irish_moonshine_could_be_the_n.php|archivedate=30 January 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, this has since been discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/cooley-single-pot-still-poitin|title=Cooley Single Pot Still Poitín|website=Celtic Whiskey Shop|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> Similarly, Michael Collins, a single malt whiskey produced for the US market, was discontinued after the distillery was bought by Beam in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/independent-irish-bottlings/Michael-Collins-Irish-Whiskey|title=Michael Collins Irish Whiskey|website=Celtic Whiskey Shop|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>
⚫
===Current products===
⚫
* [[Kilbeggan Distillery|Kilbeggan]] – a [[blended whiskey]], Kilbeggan was originally distilled at the [[Kilbeggan Distillery]], which was bought by Cooley in 1987. Best known for its non-age-stated version, in 2007, a 15-year aged version was released. An 18-year aged whiskey has also been released.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kilbeggan Whiskey Official Site|url=http://kilbegganwhiskey.com/whiskey/family.aspx|access-date=30 May 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
⚫
* [[Kilbeggan Distillery|Kilbeggan Single Grain]] – formerly marketed as Greenore, this is a single [[grain whiskey]], made with [[corn]] alone, and aged in [[Bourbon whisky|Bourbon]] casks. Kilbeggan Single Grain is found with several age statements; 6-, 8-, 15-, and 18-year versions are produced, although the 15- and 18-year releases are relatively rare (5,000 and 4,000 bottles, respectively).
⚫
* Connemara – a peated [[single malt whiskey]], Connemara is double-distilled<ref>{{cite web|title=Connemara Whiskey Official Site|url=http://connemarawhiskey.com/#/the-whiskey-introduction/|access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref> rather than the more usual triple-distillation process that most Irish whiskeys undergo. It is aged in Bourbon casks. Several versions are found; single-cask, cask-strength, 12-year, and a high-peat version called "Turf Mór."
⚫
* [[Tyrconnell (whiskey)|The Tyrconnell]] – a single malt whiskey, The Tyrconnell was acquired as a brand by Cooley in 1988 after being dormant since 1925, when the old Watt's Distillery (the original producers of The Tyrconnell) closed.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Tyrconnell Heritage|url=http://tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_heritage/Heritage.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041212201934/http://www.tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_heritage/Heritage.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2004|access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>
⚫
* 2 Gingers – A blended whiskey founded in 2011 by Minnesota bar owner and businessman Kieran Folliard. The 2 Gingers Whiskey Co. was acquired by Beam Inc. a year after the product was initially released.<ref>{{cite web|title=About 2 Gingers|url=http://www.2gingerswhiskey.com/about/|access-date=13 February 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140213191455/http://www.2gingerswhiskey.com/about/|archive-date=13 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Former products===
⚫
Cooley also released a [[Single pot still whiskey|single pot still]] [[poitín]], which was available at the Celtic Whiskey Shop in [[Dublin]] and at [[Dublin Airport]], with the intention of expanding production to release it in other markets such as the US.<ref>{{cite news|last=Raskin|first=Hannah|title=Irish Moonshine Could Be the Next Absinthe|url=http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/voracious/2012/01/irish_moonshine_could_be_the_n.php|access-date=29 January 2012|newspaper=Seattle Weekly|date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130075308/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/voracious/2012/01/irish_moonshine_could_be_the_n.php|archive-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> However, this has since been discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/cooley-single-pot-still-poitin|title=Cooley Single Pot Still Poitín|website=Celtic Whiskey Shop|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref> Similarly, Michael Collins, a single malt whiskey produced for the US market, was discontinued after the distillery was bought by Beam in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.celticwhiskeyshop.com/independent-irish-bottlings/Michael-Collins-Irish-Whiskey|title=Michael Collins Irish Whiskey|website=Celtic Whiskey Shop|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>


==Distillation process==
==Distillation process==
Line 69: Line 74:


==Critical acclaim==
==Critical acclaim==
Cooley has won over 300 medals since opening. Other awards they have received include "European Distiller of the Year" in 2008 and 2009 and "Distillery of the Year" in 2008 from the [[International Wine and Spirit Competition]] and "Distillery of the Year" in 2010 from ''[[Malt Advocate]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cooley Distillery Official Site|url=http://www.cooleywhiskey.com|accessdate=30 May 2011}}</ref>
Cooley has won over 300 medals since opening. Other awards they have received include "European Distiller of the Year" in 2008 and 2009 and "Distillery of the Year" in 2008 from the [[International Wine and Spirit Competition]] and "Distillery of the Year" in 2010 from ''[[Malt Advocate]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cooley Distillery Official Site|url=http://www.cooleywhiskey.com|access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>


Individual item awards for Cooley's products include an IWSC "Best in Class" for Kilbeggan in 2005,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kilbeggan Whiskey Awards|url=http://kilbegganwhiskey.com/whiskey/awards.aspx|accessdate=30 May 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> an IWSC Gold Medal for The Tyrconnell in 2004<ref>{{cite web|title=The Tyrconnell Whiskey Awards|url=http://tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_awards/awards.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041212222327/http://www.tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_awards/awards.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2004|accessdate=30 May 2011}}</ref> IWSC Gold Medal and Best in Class in 2010 for Greenore, and a World Whiskies Awards Best in Class in 2011 and 2012 for Greenore.
Individual item awards for Cooley's products include an IWSC "Best in Class" for Kilbeggan in 2005,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kilbeggan Whiskey Awards|url=http://kilbegganwhiskey.com/whiskey/awards.aspx|access-date=30 May 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> an IWSC Gold Medal for The Tyrconnell in 2004<ref>{{cite web|title=The Tyrconnell Whiskey Awards|url=http://tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_awards/awards.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041212222327/http://www.tyrconnellwhiskey.com/_awards/awards.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2004|access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref> IWSC Gold Medal and Best in Class in 2010 for Greenore, and a World Whiskies Awards Best in Class in 2011 and 2012 for Greenore.
<ref>{{cite web|title=World Whiskies Awards 2011|url=http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/2011/all.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808040127/http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/2011/all.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2015|accessdate=5 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=World Whiskies Awards 2012|url=http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/2012/all.html|accessdate=5 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812093757/http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/2012/all.html|archivedate=12 August 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=World Whiskies Awards 2011|url=http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/2011/all.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808040127/http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/2011/all.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2015|access-date=5 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=World Whiskies Awards 2012|url=http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/2012/all.html|access-date=5 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812093757/http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/2012/all.html|archive-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of whiskey brands#Irish whiskey|Irish whiskey brands]]
* [[List of whiskey brands#Irish whiskey|Irish whiskey brands]]
* [[Kilbeggan Distilling Company]]
* [[Kilbeggan Distillery]]
* [[Suntory Global Spirits]]


==References==
==References==
Line 83: Line 91:
*[http://www.cooleywhiskey.com/ Cooley Distillery official site]
*[http://www.cooleywhiskey.com/ Cooley Distillery official site]


{{Suntory}}
{{Irish whiskey}}
{{Irish whiskey}}
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[[Category:Suntory]]

[[Category:Buildings and structures in County Louth]]
[[Category:Suntory brands]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies of Ireland]]
[[Category:Irish whiskey]]
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[[Category:Tourist attractions in County Louth]]
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[[Category:Beam Suntory]]
[[Category:Distilleries in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Distilleries in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Irish companies established in 1987]]
[[Category:Irish companies established in 1987]]
[[Category:Food and drink companies of Ireland]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in County Louth]]
⚫
[[Category:Tourist attractions in County Louth]]

Latest revision as of 13:24, 17 June 2024

Cooley Distillery
StandortCounty Louth
Coordinates53°59′47.9″N 6°13′17.6″W / 53.996639°N 6.221556°W / 53.996639; -6.221556
OwnerSuntory Global Spirits
Gegründet1987
GründerJohn Teeling
StatusOperating
No. of stills2 pot stills (wash still: 16,000 L, spirit still: 16,000 L; 3 column stills)[1]
Websitewww.cooleywhiskey.com
Connemara Peated Single Malt
Cask type(s)Bourbon Casks[2]
ABV40%
Kilbeggan Blend
Cask type(s)Fresh Bourbon Casks, small portion in 2nd and 3rd[3]
ABV40%
Tyrconnell Single Malt
Cask type(s)Bourbon Casks[4]
ABV43%
Cooley Distillery in the Cooley Mountains
Cooley's copper pot stills

Cooley Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth, Ireland founded in 1987 and owned by Suntory Global Spirits, an subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Osaka, Japan.

The distillery was converted in 1987 from an older potato alcohol plant by entrepreneur John Teeling. On 16 December 2011 Beam Inc. announced plans to purchase Cooley for around US$95 million (€71 million); the deal closed a month later, and the distillery now belongs to Suntory Global Spirits, since Suntory bought Beam in 2014.[5][6]


History

[edit]

John Teeling bought a former State-owned industrial potato alcohol distillery in 1985. In less than two years, Teeling converted the distillery to have two column stills. In 1998, Cooley received a trophy at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) for outstanding quality, and for earning an impressive reputation over time. Cooley was the first distillery to be awarded the trophy.

On 16 December 2011 Beam Inc. announced plans to purchase Cooley for around US$95 million (€71 million).[7] The sale closed on 17 January 2012.[8] Beam was then purchased by Suntory Holdings of Osaka, Japan on 30 April 2014, and since became its Suntory Global Spirits subsidiary. Since the change of ownership, visitor access to the distillery is limited and public tours are not available.[9]

Following the sale, John Teeling went on to found the Great Northern Distillery in the nearest town, Dundalk, and his two younger children, Jack and Stephen, established the Teeling Whiskey Company in Dublin, establishing their brands using stock acquired from Cooley under the terms of the sale agreement with Beam, while building and bringing into production the Teeling Distillery.[10]

Cooley June 2024

Product range

[edit]

Current products

[edit]
  • Kilbeggan – a blended whiskey, Kilbeggan was originally distilled at the Kilbeggan Distillery, which was bought by Cooley in 1987. Best known for its non-age-stated version, in 2007, a 15-year aged version was released. An 18-year aged whiskey has also been released.[11]
  • Kilbeggan Single Grain – formerly marketed as Greenore, this is a single grain whiskey, made with corn alone, and aged in Bourbon casks. Kilbeggan Single Grain is found with several age statements; 6-, 8-, 15-, and 18-year versions are produced, although the 15- and 18-year releases are relatively rare (5,000 and 4,000 bottles, respectively).
  • Connemara – a peated single malt whiskey, Connemara is double-distilled[12] rather than the more usual triple-distillation process that most Irish whiskeys undergo. It is aged in Bourbon casks. Several versions are found; single-cask, cask-strength, 12-year, and a high-peat version called "Turf Mór."
  • The Tyrconnell – a single malt whiskey, The Tyrconnell was acquired as a brand by Cooley in 1988 after being dormant since 1925, when the old Watt's Distillery (the original producers of The Tyrconnell) closed.[13]
  • 2 Gingers – A blended whiskey founded in 2011 by Minnesota bar owner and businessman Kieran Folliard. The 2 Gingers Whiskey Co. was acquired by Beam Inc. a year after the product was initially released.[14]

Former products

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Cooley also released a single pot still poitín, which was available at the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Dublin and at Dublin Airport, with the intention of expanding production to release it in other markets such as the US.[15] However, this has since been discontinued.[16] Similarly, Michael Collins, a single malt whiskey produced for the US market, was discontinued after the distillery was bought by Beam in 2012.[17]

Distillation process

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The distillery features both column stills and pot stills for distillation. Unlike most other Irish whiskeys, which are usually distilled three times, Cooley's products are generally distilled twice, as the third distillation is thought to remove some of the flavour components.

Critical acclaim

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Cooley has won over 300 medals since opening. Other awards they have received include "European Distiller of the Year" in 2008 and 2009 and "Distillery of the Year" in 2008 from the International Wine and Spirit Competition and "Distillery of the Year" in 2010 from Malt Advocate magazine.[18]

Individual item awards for Cooley's products include an IWSC "Best in Class" for Kilbeggan in 2005,[19] an IWSC Gold Medal for The Tyrconnell in 2004[20] IWSC Gold Medal and Best in Class in 2010 for Greenore, and a World Whiskies Awards Best in Class in 2011 and 2012 for Greenore. [21][22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Muldoon, Seán; McGarry, Jack; Herlihy, Tim (2019). From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland. Missouri, USA: Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4494-8993-9.
  2. ^ "Connemara Peated Single Malt". Celtic Whiskey Shop. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Kilbeggan Whiskey". Celtic Whiskey Shop. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Tyrconnell Single Malt 43%". Celtic Whiskey Shop. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Beam completes acquisition of Cooley Distillery". Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Cooley Distillery". Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  7. ^ "Cooley Distillery sold in €71m deal". RTÉ News. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  8. ^ "Beam completes acquisition of Cooley Distillery". Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  9. ^ Birdsall, Ben(2018): The Distilleries of Ireland by Vespa, Wittenborg University Press, The Netherlands. ISBN 978-94-93066-00-7
  10. ^ Muldoon, Seán; McGarry, Jack; Herlihy, Tim (March 2019). From Barley to Blarney: A Whiskey Lover's Guide to Ireland. Missouri, USA. ISBN 978-1-4494-8993-9. OCLC 1096187220.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ^ "Kilbeggan Whiskey Official Site". Retrieved 30 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Connemara Whiskey Official Site". Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  13. ^ "The Tyrconnell Heritage". Archived from the original on 12 December 2004. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  14. ^ "About 2 Gingers". Archived from the original on 13 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  15. ^ Raskin, Hannah (27 January 2012). "Irish Moonshine Could Be the Next Absinthe". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Cooley Single Pot Still Poitín". Celtic Whiskey Shop. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  17. ^ "Michael Collins Irish Whiskey". Celtic Whiskey Shop. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  18. ^ "Cooley Distillery Official Site". Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  19. ^ "Kilbeggan Whiskey Awards". Retrieved 30 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "The Tyrconnell Whiskey Awards". Archived from the original on 12 December 2004. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  21. ^ "World Whiskies Awards 2011". Archived from the original on 8 August 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  22. ^ "World Whiskies Awards 2012". Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
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