McConnell’s Irish Whiskey (Blended)
Revived from Belfast’s proud whiskey-making past, McConnell’s Irish Whiskey pays tribute to one of Ireland’s oldest and most respected names. First founded in 1776, McConnell’s was once a hallmark of craftsmanship and quality before vanishing in the mid-20th century. Today, it has returned - proudly restored by the Belfast Distillery Company - to once again showcase the city’s enduring whiskey tradition.
Matured for five years in first-fill bourbon casks, this blend of fine malt and grain whiskey is bottled at 42% ABV, offering a perfectly balanced profile of vanilla, honey, and toasted oak with gentle spice and malt sweetness. The result is a smooth, elegant, and contemporary expression that honours over two centuries of Irish whiskey heritage.
Distilled and blended in Ireland, McConnell’s Irish Whiskey marks the rebirth of Belfast’s whiskey identity - a symbol of craftsmanship, resilience, and quiet confidence. It’s a whiskey that tells a story: of history rediscovered, of taste perfected, and of a proud legacy restored.
Ireland
5 Years
700ml
42.00% ABV
NVMcConnell’s Irish Whiskey represents the proud revival of one of Belfast’s oldest and most storied whiskey brands. First established in 1776, McConnell’s became a symbol of craftsmanship and quality, known for producing some of Ireland’s finest whiskeys before its distillery closed during the mid-20th century. Now restored by the Belfast Distillery Company, this modern expression pays homage to that legacy while embracing the smooth, approachable character that defines contemporary Irish whiskey.
Aged for five years in first-fill bourbon casks and bottled at 42% ABV, McConnell’s delivers a balanced blend of malt and grain whiskey that is both refined and versatile. The whiskey opens with soft vanilla and honeyed malt aromas, leading into flavours of oak, caramel, and gentle spice. Its finish is long, warming, and subtly sweet — a true reflection of Belfast’s blend of resilience and refinement.
The McConnell’s story began over 240 years ago, founded by the McConnell brothers in Belfast in 1776. Their whiskey quickly gained renown across Ireland and beyond, becoming a hallmark of the city’s industrial golden age. Production ceased in the 1950s following the decline of Irish whiskey, but the name was never forgotten.
Today, the brand has been revived by the Belfast Distillery Company, which is bringing whiskey-making back to the city for the first time in nearly 90 years. The new McConnell’s Distillery, located within the historic Crumlin Road Gaol, represents a powerful link between Belfast’s past and its new whiskey renaissance. While the distillery’s own spirit matures, McConnell’s continues to source and finish premium Irish whiskey with the same commitment to craftsmanship that made it famous centuries ago.
Smooth, confident, and deeply rooted in Belfast’s heritage, McConnell’s Irish Whiskey bridges the past and the present — a whiskey reborn for a new generation.
Style: Blended Irish Whiskey
Region: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Producer: McConnell’s Irish Whisky Company / Belfast Distillery Company
ABV: 42%
Maturation: Matured for five years in ex-bourbon casks, imparting vanilla, oak, and warm spice
Blend Composition: A mix of malt and grain whiskey, triple-distilled for smoothness
Filtration: Non-chill filtered for full flavour retention
Appearance: Bright golden amber
Nose:
Vanilla, honey, and toasted oak
Hints of citrus zest and light caramel sweetness
Palate:
Smooth and creamy
Sweet malt, butterscotch, and gentle spice
Touches of dried fruit and oak warmth
Finish:
Long and refined
Lingering vanilla, malt sweetness, and soft pepper spice
“Smooth and creamy with layers of vanilla, honey, and gentle oak spice.”
“A classic Belfast blend — malt sweetness, bourbon warmth, and elegant spice.”
“Beautifully balanced with notes of caramel, toasted oak, and citrus zest.”
“Five years in bourbon casks deliver a refined Irish whiskey full of warmth and character.”
Neat: Best enjoyed neat in a tulip or crystal glass to appreciate vanilla, honey, and malt
With Water: A few drops open caramel sweetness and soft oak spice
On the Rocks: Enhances creamy texture and brings out light citrus
Cocktails:
Irish Old Fashioned – whiskey, bitters, sugar, orange zest
Whiskey Sour – whiskey, lemon juice, sugar syrup, egg white
Highball – whiskey with soda or ginger ale over ice
Food Pairings:
Roasted nuts, mild cheeses, butter shortbread
Caramel desserts or vanilla pudding
Occasions:
Casual sipping or celebratory toasts
After-dinner serve or whiskey tastings
Premium Irish whiskey flights or Belfast-themed menus
