Echlinville Distillery
Discover Ireland's 'grain to glass' spirit craft at Echlinville Distillery, reviving historic brands and creating exceptional whiskey, gin, and poitín...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal
Echlinville Distillery
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more personal
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Ireland's 'grain to glass' spirit craft at Echlinville Distillery, reviving historic brands and creating exceptional whiskey, gin, and poitín.
"An amazing time, the tour is so informative and very interesting, with special thanks to our guides!"
🎯 Book Tours Ahead
Secure your spot for an informative tour and tasting. Essential for the full Echlinville experience.
🐾 Dogs Welcome on Grounds
Bring your furry friends for a walk around the beautiful distillery grounds. Cafe available.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Grain to Glass Experience
Witness the entire whiskey-making journey, from barley grown on-site to the final bottled spirit. A truly authentic craft.
Old Comber Irish Whiskey
Taste the revival of a historic brand, with unique finishes like Ruby Port cask. A must-try for whiskey enthusiasts.
+1
Dunville's Irish Whiskey
Sample award-winning whiskeys, including special 'peaty' varieties. A testament to Echlinville's dedication to quality.
Bán Poitín
Experience a traditional Irish spirit with a unique blend of barley, potato, and local grains. A taste of heritage.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Tour in Advance
Accessibility and Comfort
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tours Ahead
Secure your spot for an informative tour and tasting. Essential for the full Echlinville experience.
🐾 Dogs Welcome on Grounds
Bring your furry friends for a walk around the beautiful distillery grounds. Cafe available.
🥃 Taste the Heritage
Don't miss the Old Comber and Dunville's whiskeys. Unique cask finishes offer distinct flavors. +1
☕ Cafe & Gifts Available
Enjoy tea, cake, or local products at the cafe. The shop offers great gift ideas.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tours Ahead
Secure your spot for an informative tour and tasting. Essential for the full Echlinville experience.
🐾 Dogs Welcome on Grounds
Bring your furry friends for a walk around the beautiful distillery grounds. Cafe available.
🥃 Taste the Heritage
Don't miss the Old Comber and Dunville's whiskeys. Unique cask finishes offer distinct flavors. +1
☕ Cafe & Gifts Available
Enjoy tea, cake, or local products at the cafe. The shop offers great gift ideas.
♿ Accessible Experience
The distillery is accommodating for wheelchair users, adapting tours as needed.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Echlinville Distillery for its informative and engaging tours, highlighting the 'grain to glass' experience and the passion of the guides. The quality of the spirits, particularly the Old Comber and Dunville's whiskeys, receives high marks. The distillery's welcoming atmosphere, accessibility, and beautiful grounds are also frequently mentioned positives. Some minor points of feedback relate to the limited public transport options, but the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
"I took two friends to the distillery last week. We had an amazing time. The tour is so informative and very interesting, with special thanks to our guides Norma and Peter. The tasting session afterwards was fabulous and thoroughly enjoyed!! Would highly recommend and the resident cat Jeffrey is such a character"
Jacqui Busby
"Fantastic tour of a lovely little distillery. Tea and cake before you even start! Tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable and you get 2 samples of the many lovely gins, whiskeys, or potcheen they have to offer."
Evelyn Nicol
"Recently my hubby took my dad on a distillery tour as his birthday treat....sounds simple but he's in a wheelchair & we weren't sure how it would work out. Turns out we had not only nothing to worry about, but it was up there with a trip to the Titanic which we took him on before he was confined to a wheelchair! Everyone was wonderful with him and also with me & my mum, who weren't on the tour but got invited in & offered tea & cake nonetheless. The weather wasn't great, so they adapted the outside part of the tour to avoid getting wet & then brought everyone back in for tasting & a warm. I tried the 'peaty' Dunville whiskey at home that evening, which I wasn't aware they did & it was excellent! The shop has lovely gift ideas for Christmas, covering a good price range. Thank you everyone for making my dad's birthday & giving him plenty of stories to tell....not to mention the tipples he brought back! My hubby really enjoyed it & has promised to take me on the next tour 👍"
Northy
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Echlinville Distillery is located near Kircubbin on the Ards Peninsula. While public transport options are limited, driving is the most convenient way to reach the distillery. Many visitors arrive by car, and parking is available on-site.
Echlinville Distillery is located about ten miles from the original Comber Distilleries site, which is roughly an hour's drive from Belfast. It's a scenic drive through County Down.
Yes, you can visit the grounds and the cafe without taking a tour. Walks are free, and dogs are allowed on the grounds. The cafe offers local products, coffee, and tea.
Driving is the most recommended method for reaching Echlinville Distillery due to its rural location. Taxis can also be arranged, but it's advisable to book in advance.
Echlinville Distillery is situated on the Ards Peninsula, which offers several other attractions, including coastal walks and charming towns. It's a great base for exploring the region.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tour prices can vary, but booking in advance is recommended. Check the official Echlinville Distillery website for the most up-to-date pricing and tour options.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book your Echlinville Distillery tour in advance, especially during peak seasons or for specific tasting experiences, to guarantee your spot.
Tours typically include an informative walk-through of the distillery, explaining the 'grain to glass' process, and often conclude with a tasting session of their various spirits.
Opening hours can vary, so it's best to check the official Echlinville Distillery website for the most current information on tour times and cafe hours.
While it might be possible to purchase tickets on the day, booking in advance is strongly advised to avoid disappointment, as tours can sell out.
🎫 🥃 Spirits & Tasting
Echlinville Distillery produces a range of spirits including Irish whiskey (like Old Comber and Dunville's), gin, and traditional Bán Poitín. +2
Old Comber is a revival of a historic brand, featuring a blend of pot still and grain whiskeys, with unique finishes like Ruby Port casks, offering a distinct flavor profile.
Yes, tasting sessions are a key part of the distillery tour, allowing you to sample their various gins, whiskeys, and poitín.
Absolutely! You can also taste their range of gins and Bán Poitín, offering a diverse tasting experience beyond just whiskey.
The 'peaty' Dunville's whiskey offers a distinct smoky flavor profile, a unique offering from Echlinville that has been well-received.
📸 📸 Photography & Experience
Yes, visitors are generally encouraged to take photos to capture their experience. The distillery grounds and production areas offer many picturesque opportunities.
The 'grain to glass' philosophy means Echlinville controls every step of the production process on-site, from growing the barley to bottling the final spirit, ensuring quality and authenticity.
Yes, Echlinville Distillery has hosted successful team-building days, offering a unique and engaging experience for groups.
The tours are led by friendly and knowledgeable guides who share insights into the distilling process, history, and the passion behind their spirits.
Visitors often describe the atmosphere as friendly, welcoming, and charming, with staff who are passionate about their craft. The resident cat, Jeffrey, adds to the unique character.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While children cannot participate in tastings, they can enjoy the scenic surroundings and learn a little about the agricultural side of whiskey production. The accessibility of the site also means that families with strollers or young children can navigate the grounds comfortably.
♿ Visitors with Mobility Needs
This thoughtful approach means that a visit to Echlinville can be as enjoyable and informative for someone with mobility needs as for anyone else. The positive feedback highlights the staff's dedication to making the distillery a welcoming place for all visitors.
🐶 Dog Owners
This dog-friendly policy adds another layer of appeal for visitors who don't want to leave their furry friends at home. It's a great way to experience the Ards Peninsula with your entire family, including your four-legged members.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The 'Grain to Glass' Philosophy
+1This dedication to self-sufficiency is rare in modern distilleries and allows Echlinville to truly innovate and craft spirits with a unique character. Visitors can often start their tour by standing among the barley fields, offering a truly immersive understanding of where their drink begins. It’s an experience that highlights the craft and care that goes into each bottle.
The 'grain to glass' approach not only guarantees quality but also allows Echlinville to tell a complete story of their spirits. From the soil to the still, every element is considered, resulting in products that are deeply connected to their origin. This is a key reason why Echlinville is celebrated among whiskey and spirit enthusiasts.
+1Reviving Historic Brands: Old Comber & Dunville's
The new releases of Old Comber, such as the Ruby Port Cask Finished Whiskey, are a testament to this revival. They blend Echlinville's own pot still and grain whiskeys, matured and finished in carefully selected casks to create complex and nuanced flavors. This careful approach ensures the spirit honors the original brand's reputation while offering a modern drinking experience.
+1Similarly, Echlinville is the home of Dunville's Irish Whiskey, another brand with a rich history. They produce a range of Dunville's expressions, including a notable 'peaty' variety that offers a distinct smoky character. The distillery's commitment to these heritage brands allows enthusiasts to reconnect with Ireland's distilling past.
Beyond Whiskey: Gin and Poitín
Furthermore, Echlinville revives and produces Bán Poitín, a traditional Irish spirit with a unique heritage. Poitín, often considered the ancestor of Irish whiskey, is made from a blend of barley, potato, and other grains. Echlinville's Bán Poitín is described as having a rich flavor profile with notes of honey, black pepper, and light fruitiness, making it a distinctive offering.
These diverse spirit offerings mean that visitors can explore a wider spectrum of Irish distillation at Echlinville. Whether you're a seasoned whiskey connoisseur or new to Irish spirits, there's something to discover and enjoy, showcasing the distillery's versatility and commitment to traditional craftsmanship.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit