Slane Distillery: History, Owner and Production Update
Updated: 3 hours ago
Slane Irish Whiskey is made at Slane Castle in County Meath, the ancestral home of the Conyngham family on the River Boyne. The distillery is in the castle's 250 year old stables and is owned by Brown-Forman. It was the first distillery Brown-Forman built outside the United States.
In this guide
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Slane at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Location / region | County Meath, Ireland |
Owner / producer | Brown-Forman and the Conyngham family |
History | New Slane Castle distillery opened in 2017. |
Style | Blended Irish whiskey |
Bottles documented | Slane Triple Casked Irish Whiskey |
Before visiting | Check current public access, tour availability and opening hours directly with the producer. |
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History
Slane Castle has been the Conyngham family seat since the 1700s and has hosted concerts since 1981. The Conynghams partnered with Brown-Forman, and the company broke ground on a 50 million dollar distillery at the castle in September 2015. Henry Conyngham and his son Alex helped found Slane Irish Whiskey, and Alex became the face of the brand.
People
Dr Gearoid Cahill is Slane's Master Distiller and distillery manager. He joined in 2019 and holds qualifications as both a Master Distiller and a Master Brewer.
Production paused
In May 2026 Brown-Forman said it would pause production at Slane, citing demand planning and production forecasting. It said it has a robust supply of maturing whiskey, so Slane will stay available, and that the visitor centre remains open. The company described the pause as temporary.
The whiskey
Slane Irish Whiskey is a blend aged in three types of cask: virgin oak, ex-American whiskey barrels and casks previously used for sherry.
Visiting
Tours, tastings and masterclasses are offered, some including a tour of the castle. Book through the official website.
From the official Slane site
The official site describes Slane Irish Whiskey as a triple casked blend, matured in virgin oak casks, seasoned whiskey casks and Oloroso sherry casks. The footer lists the blended Irish whiskey at 40% ABV and says it is imported to the US by Brown-Forman. SLANE and SLANE CASTLE are shown as trademarks of Slane Castle.
The range menu lists the Triple Casked Blend, a Slane Special Edition, Batch Strength and Extra Sherry Wood. Only the 40% strength for the blend is stated on the page. The site presents the whiskey as created from the Brown family's barrel-raising expertise and the Conyngham family's grounds, and offers a distillery tour and tasting experience.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Slane Distillery?
Brown-Forman.
Is Slane still distilling?
Brown-Forman paused production in May 2026. Check for updates.
Where is it?
Slane Castle, Slane, County Meath.
Sources
Further sources checked on 20 October 2026: slaneirishwhiskey.com home page.
Gaps for Filip: the official site did not mention the May 2026 production pause, so check its news page. Strengths for the Special Edition, Batch Strength and Extra Sherry Wood, and current tour availability, were not confirmed.
What makes Slane distinctive?
Blended Irish whiskey combining three cask treatments
Slane bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Documented producer release |
|---|---|---|---|
Slane Triple Casked Irish Whiskey | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
Slane Special Edition | Check label | Check label | Documented whisky label, batch availability varies |
These expressions are documented in producer or release sources. Limited and historical editions may no longer be available. Whisky Clan has not independently tasted every bottle.
Bottle ranges, casks and strengths change. The table lists documented releases, not guaranteed current stock; check the producer's labels and latest information.
More whisky distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Slane
Where is Slane based?
County Meath, Ireland. See the location section for the detailed site address.
Who owns Slane?
Brown-Forman and the Conyngham family.
What matters in Slane's history?
New Slane Castle distillery opened in 2017.
Which whiskies are associated with Slane?
Slane Triple Casked Irish Whiskey. Current availability varies.
Can you visit Slane?
Check the producer's latest booking and visitor information; some working distilleries are not open for public tours.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research, references and historical qualifications have been retained in this article. Visitor details and expression availability are date-sensitive.
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Bottle documentation: https://www.slaneirishwhiskey.com/whiskey/special-edition/
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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