Belfast’s first working whiskey distillery officially opens

Whiskey production is now under way for the first time in Belfast since prohibition in the 1930s

The Titanic Distillers at Thompson Dock opened this week as Belfast’s first working whiskey distillery in almost 90 years. UK Minister for Exports, Lord Offord, performed the opening ceremony at the new distillery. Whiskey is now in production for the first time in Belfast since the days of prohibition in the 1930s.

With the distillery being at the birthplace of the Titanic, a commemorative plaque has been unveiled on site at the historic Thompson Dock and Pumphouse. 

The new distillery will produce single malt whiskey. All of the original pump equipment and associated internal historic features in the adjacent Pumphouse have been retained and are available to view as part of the associated visitor tours, while the exterior includes a new food and beverage area.

Lord Offord, Minister for Exports, said: “The distilling industry has been part of Northern Ireland’s fabric for generations, and it’s been a pleasure to meet with the team and members of the community to see their skills first-hand.”

 The visitor centre at Titanic Distillers opened its doors to tourists in April this year.  August last month, the company received its Distillers License to start producing spirits. 

 Peter Lavery, director, Titanic Distillers said: “Today is the culmination of many years’ hard graft to bring this amazing project to life – and while it marks the end of the first ‘construction’ phase, it also signals the start of another phase as we start producing a whiskey and a brand that the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland can be proud of, and that will represent us well all over the world.”