The Shed Distillery

Ever heard of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands? Well, tucked away in a lovely little town called #drumshanbo, in County Leitrim, there's this amazing place that's a real testament to big dreams and a love for top-notch Irish spirits. It's The Shed Distillery, brainchild of a fella named P.J. Rigney. This isn't just some factory churning out booze; it's where a deep respect for old ways meets a buzzing excitement for trying new things. You might know them for their world-famous Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, but let me tell you, The Shed is also a bit of a superstar in the Irish whiskey world. It's like they've brought the ancient magic of whiskey-making back to life, right there in Leitrim. Think gleaming copper stills, cosy oak barrels, and every single drop telling a story.

Meet P.J. Rigney: The "Curious Mind" Behind The Shed

So, who's the genius behind all this? That'd be Patrick J. (you can call him P.J.) Rigney. This guy isn't new to the drinks game; he's been involved with some massive Irish names like Baileys (he even invented Sheridan's liqueur—you know, the one with the coffee and cream? That was him!), Irish Mist, Boru Vodka, and Clontarf Whiskey. But P.J. always had this itch, this "Curious Mind" as they call it at the distillery, to build something truly his own. He dreamed of a distillery right in the wild heart of Ireland, a spot full of history, surrounded by nature, and buzzing with inspiration. And he found it in Drumshanbo. It's a gorgeous village on the edge of Lough Allen, with the historic Sliabh an Iarainn (that's 'The Iron Mountain') looking on.

So, in 2014, P.J. and his wife Denise took the plunge and opened The Shed Distillery. And get this—it was the first distillery to set up shop in the whole province of Connacht in over 100 years! That's a pretty big deal. They say it got called "The Shed" because, well, during building, it was just a shed! But it quickly turned into this amazing hub of creativity. P.J. wanted it to be a multi-purpose distillery, the first of its kind in Ireland, a sort of "Curious Laboratory" where he could mess about with old recipes, new ideas, and amazing ingredients from all over the world. He wasn't just making spirits; he was building a destination and giving the local Leitrim economy a nice boost too.

Those Shiny Copper Stills: Where the Magic Begins

Walk into The Shed, and you can’t miss them: the copper pot stills. They've got five of these beauties, and three are dedicated to making their Irish whiskey. They look like something out of an old alchemist's workshop—they even call them "medieval" in style—but they're packed with modern smarts.

Why copper? Well, it's not just because it looks good. Copper does some clever stuff during distillation. It reacts with the spirit, getting rid of any nasty sulphur bits and helping to create those lovely fruity and floral flavours that make Irish whiskey so special. Using traditional copper pot stills shows P.J. is serious about making proper Irish whiskey. You can almost hear them whispering old secrets of distilling as they work their magic, turning a simple brew into liquid gold.

From Grain to Grog: The Early Days of a Drop of Whiskey

So, how does Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey start its life? It all begins with some top-quality Irish ingredients. They use a mix of malted Irish barley (that’s pretty standard for whiskey) and unmalted Irish barley—that's the stuff that gives traditional Pot Still whiskey its classic spicy kick and creamy feel. But P.J., being the curious chap he is, added another Irish grain to the party: Barra oats. These oats give the whiskey an extra creamy, silky smoothness that's just lovely.

All these grains are milled right there at the distillery, so they're super fresh. Then, they’re mixed with hot water from a local spring in a big tub called a mash tun. This mashing process lets all the natural enzymes in the barley turn starches into sugars. The sweet liquid that comes out (they call it 'wort') is then cooled down and moved into big fermentation tanks. Next up, yeast! These tiny little guys get to work, gobbling up all the sugars and turning them into alcohol. After a few days, you've got a sort of strong beer, known as 'wash,' which is then ready to hit those copper pot stills.

Sleeping Beauty: How Oak Barrels Make the Whiskey

After being distilled not once, not twice, but three times (that's the Irish way, for extra smoothness!), the brand-new spirit is clear and pretty fiery. Now it's ready for a long nap. And this is where the oak barrels come in—they're like finishing school for whiskey, giving it colour, flavour, and a whole lot of character.

At The Shed, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey chills out for at least five years in a mix of different barrels. Some are ex-Kentucky Bourbon barrels, which add those classic vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak notes. Others are ex-Oloroso Sherry casks all the way from Spain. These sherry casks give the whiskey richer, darker fruit flavours—think raisins and figs, maybe a bit of Christmas cake spice—and a lovely nutty depth.

Over those five-plus years, it's like a slow dance between the spirit and the wood. The whiskey seeps into the oak, pulling out flavours and colour, while the gentle Irish weather plays its part too. It's a patient game, letting time do its thing, turning that young spirit into the smooth, complex whiskey they bottle.

That Warm Fuzzy Feeling: A Sip of Irish Spirit

The Shed Distillery of P.J. Rigney is way more than just the first distillery in Connacht in over a century. It's a shining example of how you can respect Irish heritage while also doing something new, exciting, and world-class. When people talk about a "family legacy" here, it's the amazing legacy that P.J. and Denise Rigney are building right now—one filled with curiosity, a passion for quality, and a whole lot of creative spark.

Every single drop of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tastes of the Leitrim landscape, the hard work of its makers, and the brilliant vision of its founder. A trip to The Shed Distillery is like a mini-adventure through taste and time. It's a chance to connect with Irish craftsmanship and leave with a warm glow (and maybe a new favourite whiskey!). It's a lasting taste of Irish heritage, not just remembered, but being excitingly made right now, ready for you to discover.