Raising a glass to the newest distillery in Dublin 8 – Shane Adlum informs of the return of and beginning of, the new Roe’s Distillery
Roe & Co is the latest distillery to open its doors in Dublin 8. Diageo exited the Irish whiskey market a few years ago when they sold the Bushmills brand to Jose Cuervo in exchange for its tequila brand. But this €25 million investment suggests that they are serious about re-entering the Irish whiskey game. Located in the former Guinness power station on James’s Street, just across the road from St. James Gate, the distillery will produce premium blended Irish whiskey made from hand selected stocks of Irish malt and grain whiskies aged in bourbon casks.
Those massive copper vessels that can be seen at the front of the building are the wash still, the intermediate still and the sprit still. They were crafted at Diageo’s Abercombie coppersmiths in Alloa, Scotland.
Roe & Co is named after George Roe who was part of the golden era of Irish whiskey in the 19th century. His distillery on Thomas Street spanned 17 acres and was the largest in Ireland. All that remains of the original distillery is the windmill tower and a pear tree that still flowers to this day.
The distillery will officially be open to the public from the 21st of June and will operate from 11am to 5pm, seven days a week. A 75 minute tour will cost €25 and it promises to be an immersive experience in whiskey distilling. The tour includes whiskey tasting, a flavours workshop and a complementary cocktail in the power house bar.
