The Copeland Distillery story started in the summer of 2016.

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Small beginnings

The Copeland Distillery story started in the summer of 2016, when they successfully raised £30,000 from crowdfunding.

Their journey could not have started without the support of over 390 Founders who pledged between £50 and £500, taking a chance on the new ginfusions products based solely on the brand values and story.

 

The Copeland Distillery

After nine months construction, the doors of the new Copeland Distillery were opened in August 2019, signalling the start of the journey to create Northern Ireland’s most innovative craft distillery. The 6,500 square-foot home is located just a stone’s throw from the historic harbour in Donaghadee, County Down, revitalising the former cinema and Ards bottling Company site which lay unoccupied for more than 20 years. The Distillery is the production site of the award winning Classic Irish and Navy Strength gins, a rum range and the new range of malt and pot-still whiskey which are currently maturing prior to release from 2024. The Copeland Distillery mission is simple: to create great tasting spirits which surprise and delight and reflect the history and traditions of the local area.

 

Copeland Irish Gin

Winner of the Best Contemporary Gin Trophy at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, 2022. A taste of Donaghadee, this Traditional Irish Gin uses 12 carefully selected organic and fair wild botanicals including Pine Needles, Cubeb Berries, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel and locally sourced flora from the local islands including Sea Pink Maritima.

 

Copeland Smugglers Reserve Rum

A blend of Dark rum from Barbados and rum distilled in Donaghadee. The Barbados rum has been aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels and the Copeland rum aged in a mixture of French Pinot Noir wine and Quarter Bourbon casks and blended in a ratio of 90:10, bourbon to Pinot Noir. Inspired by the clandestine smuggling activities that took place along the Copeland Islands in the 18th and 19th centuries.

 

Copeland Irish Whiskey

A taste of things to come from the Copeland Distillery, while they wait patiently for their single malt and pot-still spirits to mature.

A unique blend of three whiskeys – grain whiskey, double distilled and triple distilled malts – aged in four different casks, delivering a complex nose and smooth taste. Perfect for sipping neat, or with water, or enjoy as part of your favourite whiskey cocktail. Celebrating the historic quay at Donaghadee harbour, where ships have been launched, casks have been landed and glasses raised for generations.

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