Kilbeggan Distillery: History, Owner, Range and Visitor Guide
Updated: 18 hours ago
Kilbeggan Distillery sits on the River Brosna in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath. It was established in 1757, was formerly called Brusna Distillery and Locke's Distillery, and is owned today by Suntory Global Spirits.
In this guide
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Kilbeggan at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery | Kilbeggan |
Country / region | County Westmeath, Ireland |
Owner / producer | Suntory Global Spirits |
History | Matthew MacManus founded the distillery in 1757. Early on it ran a 232 gallon still with output of 1,500 gallons a year. By the early 19th century John and William Codd ran it. |
Whisky identity | Historic distillery and revived rye whisky production |
Visiting | Check the current official visiting arrangements before travelling. |
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At a glance
Location: Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland
Owner: Suntory Global Spirits, a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Osaka
Founded: 1757 by Matthew MacManus; a copy of the 1757 licence to distil can be seen there
Closed: 1957 in Wikipedia's account of operations, with the final collapse on 27 November 1958 when receivers were called in. Distilling restarted in 2007
Notable: a pot still about 180 years old, first installed at the Old Tullamore Distillery, described as the oldest working pot still producing whiskey in the world
History in chapters
1757 to 1843
Matthew MacManus founded the distillery in 1757. Early on it ran a 232 gallon still with output of 1,500 gallons a year. By the early 19th century John and William Codd ran it. In 1841 it was put up for sale after the partnership of William Codd and William Cuffee dissolved.
1843 to 1920s: Locke's
John Locke took over in 1843 and the distillery flourished. In 1866 an accident disabled the steam boiler and Locke could not obtain a loan. The people of Kilbeggan bought a replacement boiler and gave it to him with a public letter of appreciation. A plaque marking this hangs in the distillery restaurant. A fire in 1878 destroyed much of the front and caused 400 pounds of damage, and townsfolk rolled thousands of casks to safety. In 1887 writer Alfred Barnard visited, found output of 157,200 proof gallons a year, a staff of about 70, and four pot stills, and noted the distillery was said to be the oldest in Ireland. In 1893 it became the limited company John Locke and Co., Ltd., with nominal capital of 40,000 pounds.
Decline and closure
Loss of markets through US Prohibition, the trade war with Britain, shipping disruption in the world wars and Irish export quotas hurt the distillery. It stopped making new spirit for seven years from 1924 to 1931. In 1947 an attempted sale to a Swiss investor fronted by a man calling himself Horace Smith, in fact a wanted impostor, collapsed in what became the Locke's Distillery scandal. An opposition politician alleged links to the governing party under parliamentary privilege. A tribunal discounted the allegations, but Wikipedia says the damage contributed to Fianna Fail's defeat in the 1948 election. A 28% rise in spirit duty in April 1952 hit sales, production stopped in 1953 and the receivers were called in on 27 November 1958, ending 201 years of distilling in the town.
1962 to 2010: from pigsty to working distillery
In 1962 German businessman Karl-Heinz Moller bought the distillery for 10,000 pounds, sold the stocks and converted the buildings into a pigsty. Powerscreen bought it in 1969 and the stills were scrapped in the early 1970s. In 1982 locals formed the Kilbeggan Preservation and Development Association, restored the site and opened a museum. In 1987 the new Cooley Distillery acquired the assets, and relaunched Kilbeggan and Locke's. Each previous owner had paid the 5 pound annual fee to keep the distilling licence alive. Distilling restarted in 2007, the 250th anniversary, and a mash tun and fermenters in 2010 made it fully operational again.
Range and releases
Kilbeggan, Locke's Blend and Locke's Malt, once made at Cooley
Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye: the first whiskey distilled and matured entirely on site after the restoration, double distilled from a mash of malt, barley and about 30% rye
Late 2009: new make spirit sample packs at 1 month, 1 year and 2 years old
Wikipedia gives no ABVs for the range, so check the official Kilbeggan site.
Visiting
The distillery has a restaurant, The Pantry, and a restored 19th century waterwheel. A steam engine is in working order but rarely used. The visitor centre was nominated in Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky in 2008. Check the official site for tour times.
What the official site says
Kilbeggan says it is Ireland's oldest continuously licensed distillery, with a story dating back to 1757.
The owner shown in the site footer is Suntory Global Spirits. The ABV line in the footer reads: Kilbeggan Blended and Single Grain Irish Whiskey, 40% to 43% Alc/Vol.
The current range on the home page: Blended, Berry Selection, Small Batch Rye, Single Pot Still and Triple Cask. A Single Grain is also referred to on the site.
Small Batch Rye is described as the first whiskey 100% distilled and matured at Kilbeggan to be released since the restoration was completed in 2010.
Single Pot Still is the second limited release 100% distilled and matured at the distillery, and the oldest expression released since distillation resumed in 2010. It is double distilled, once through what the brand calls the oldest working whiskey pot still in the world, from a mash of malted barley, raw barley and 2.5% oats, inspired by recipes from the late 1800s.
Visiting Kilbeggan: official details
Opening times for visitor centre, bar and shop: 17 March to 31 October, 10:00 to 17:30, Monday to Sunday. 1 November to 16 March, 10:00 to 15:30, Monday to Sunday.
Experiences listed: Distillery Experience (90 minutes, finishing with a four whiskey master class), Distillers Cask Bottling (30 minutes, fill your own 70cl bottle of Distillery Exclusive from the cask, tour not included), Irish Coffee Masterclass Experience (60 minutes, over 18s) and Cask Selection Premium Tasting Experience (60 minutes, over 18s).
The Warehouse Bar serves whiskeys, Irish coffee, cocktails, Bewley's teas, barista coffee and light snacks. The Whiskey Shop sells the full range including distillery exclusives and can personalise bottles.
The distillery is off the Galway to Dublin road at M6 Junction 5. Contact: +353 57 933 2134. The site lists the email as info@kilbeggandistillery.com on the visit page. Prices are not shown on the pages read.
FAQ
Who owns Kilbeggan?
Suntory Global Spirits, part of Suntory Holdings.
When was it founded?
1757.
Why did it close?
Market losses, high duty in 1952 and debt led to receivership on 27 November 1958.
When did it reopen?
Distilling restarted in 2007, with the full distillery operating again in 2010.
What is the oldest pot still story?
A pot still about 180 years old from the Old Tullamore Distillery is in use.
Who was John Locke?
He took over in 1843 and ran the distillery during its flourishing years.
What was the Locke's scandal?
A failed 1947 sale to a Swiss investor and an impostor, which led to political allegations that a tribunal discounted.
Why is it also called Brusna?
Alfred Barnard called it the Brusna Distillery after the nearby river.
Sources
Facts come from the Wikipedia article on Kilbeggan Distillery, read on 19 October 2026. They have not yet been checked against the official distillery website, which did not load in this run. Whisky Clan does not publish tasting notes in its distillery profiles.
Further sources and gaps
Further sources checked and gaps (20 October 2026): kilbegganwhiskey.com home, Single Pot Still page and Visit Our Distillery page. Tour prices and individual ABVs for Small Batch Rye, Single Pot Still and Triple Cask were not on those pages. The site calls the distillery a town landmark of Kilbeggan; the older Wikipedia based sections above are unchanged. Opening times are what the page showed on 20 October 2026.
What makes Kilbeggan distinctive?
Historic distillery and revived rye whisky production.
Kilbeggan whisky bottles and releases
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Kilbeggan Traditional Irish Whiskey | NAS / release varies | Check bottle | Historic distillery and revived rye whisky production |
Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye | NAS / release varies | Check bottle | Historic distillery and revived rye whisky production |
Kilbeggan whisky bottle photograph
Historic Kilbeggan whiskey bottle, photographed in 2008
The table records named expressions, not live stock. Bottle strength and cask treatment can vary by market and release. Always consult the producer.
More distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Kilbeggan
Where is Kilbeggan based?
County Westmeath, Ireland.
Who owns Kilbeggan?
Suntory Global Spirits.
What is notable about Kilbeggan?
Historic distillery and revived rye whisky production.
Which bottles does Kilbeggan have?
Kilbeggan Traditional Irish Whiskey, Kilbeggan Small Batch Rye. Releases and availability change.
Can you visit Kilbeggan?
Check the distillery's official visitor or tour information before making travel plans.
Sources and editorial checks
The original history, references and research remain in this guide. Whisky range and visitor information may change.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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