West Cork Black Cask Irish Whiskey

West Cork Distillers was founded by John O’Connell, Denis McCarthy and Ger McCarthy in 2003. Led by a collaborative team of Master Blenders with nearly 100 years of combined experience, West Cork has become a recognized leader in innovation, distilling and bottling the finest craft Irish Whiskey to come out of Ireland.

A classically-trained food scientist, John O’Connell turned his interests to producing whiskey in 2003 with two of his childhood friends. Leveraging his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for the science of creating products - and a love for whiskey - John has dedicated more than a decade to distilling the highest quality Irish Whiskey imaginable through both traditional and innovative techniques. And his work has just begun.

Frank McHardy began his career in Campbeltown in 1977 and has developed countless esteemed whiskey brands. His dedication to the craft has placed him in the top tier of the industry, naming him a winner of the 2014 Whisky Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The late Dr. Barry Walsh was a central figure in the development of Irish whiskey for over 40 years, fostering the export and appreciation of Irish Whiskies across the globe. His work with some of the world’s top-selling whiskey brands contributed to his undisputed industry expertise. Deservedly, Barry won the 2005 Whisky Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

With a careful eye for detail, West Cork Distillers uses only pot stills in all their whiskey distillation and only fresh local spring water. It is the only Irish distillery to malt its own barley and embraces artisan techniques. The re-introduction of artisan independent Irish whiskey remains a dream of these three childhood friends. As Irish Whiskey’s growth continues to surge across the global market, West Cork Distillers is positioned to be a leader in both quality and spirit.