Loch Measc gin proving to be a sensation
US native Eoin Holmes had an ambition to establish a distillery in the west of Ireland, writes Tom Gillespie. The big question was, however, where would be the ideal location for such an enterprise?
Inspired by the wild and rugged beauty of the landscape, the purity and abundance of the Lough Mask waters, and the rich culture and history of the area, he knew he had to set up the operation in Killateeaun (Coill an tSian, Fairy Wood), near Tourmakeady. Now the distillery is located on the shores of the lake in a reconditioned building.
Eoin, who came to Ireland as an infant and now resides in Westport, admitted: “We discovered the empty building a few years back and have restored it, making it ready to house our micro-distillery. Our production started early this year (2018), and our first spirits are now flowing.”
Drioglann Loch Measc (Lough Mask Distillery) is a craft Irish whiskey and gin distillery overlooking Mask from the foothills of the Partry Mountains.
Their main products are Loch Measc single malt whiskey, Loch Measc gin, and Loch Measc vodka.
Eoin, who has been fishing Lough Mask for decades, continued: “We craft tiny batches of wonderfully rich spirit by hand in our beautiful copper pot stills. These stills were made for us by traditional coppersmiths based on the ancient Alembic still design.
“If you look at our stills you can see every careful hammer blow. In keeping with our micro-distillery ethos, we have up-cycled, recycled and adapted much of our equipment, sourced from various small breweries, distilleries and dairy farms.”
Loch Measc single malt is made using only the finest malt barley and clear water from Loch Measc. Their twice distilled spirit is aged in American and European oak barrels.
The whiskey production style results in a rich, complex flavour with a hint of spiciness and a satisfying lingering aftertaste. They have peated and unpeated single malts. They mature their brew for at least three years so their first whiskey will be available in 2021.
“Loch Measc gin is inspired by the wild juniper berries that grow around Lough Mask,” said Eoin. “A glorious abundance of botanicals thrive around our distillery. Ours is a confident, juniper-led gin that packs a flavoursome punch and leaves you with a taste of the wild Irish countryside. It makes an excellent G&T and is designed to work brilliantly in a classic Negroni.
“Loch Measc Vodca - yes, we spell it vodca; that's the spelling for vodka as Gaeilge - is dedicated to those on a pilgrimage to find the holy grail of small batch vodka. We make ours from the finest grains and using the purest waters from Lough Mask. Our vodka is made in copper stills, imparting a smoothness and flavour that marks it out.”
Eoin, who had been out picking honeysuckle and fuchsia when I met him, added: “When we were searching for a home for our distillery we were inspired by the wild and rugged beauty of the landscape, the purity and abundance of the Lough Mask waters, the rich culture, history, and the sense of community in the area. We knew we had to set up our distillery near Tourmakeady, in Killateeaun.
“We're located in one of the most beautiful yet undiscovered parts of Mayo. From our distillery, the views of Maamtrasna, the Dirk Mountains and the island-strewn Lough Mask are stunning.
“The journey out here is a treat in itself. A tour of our distillery is just the icing on the cake!”
Tours take place every day. Booking is advisable. Check the website - www.loughmaskdistillery.com - or call (094) 9544701 for availability and to book a visit.
Visitors enter the reception area, where they can read display boards providing information on the area, on the formation of the Gaeltacht, on characters from the lake, and on the background to the production of whiskey, gin and vodka. These display boards are in English and in the Irish language. Visitors can also pick up brochures in French, German and Italian.
While waiting for the tour they can also browse through merchandise and can follow the whole process of whiskey development via the wall mural outlining the whiskey-making process. The can pick up a complimentary hot mug of tea and some biscuits while browsing.
Eoin continued: “You can then join a guided tour, which start hourly on the hour. Visitors are given a short introduction to the distillery, including all aspects of health and safety and an overview of the production process.
“The tours will take the visitors into each of the various production halls. They will hear and see how each stage of the production process is carried out, including malting, cooking, fermenting, distilling and finally bottling. They will soak in the smells of the cooking ingredients. They'll feel the heat in the air from the distilling process.”
The tours are relaxed in nature. Casual clothing is recommended. The guide will provide detailed information on how each step is carried out. There is ample time for questions.
The language of the tour is in English, but the guides will also use and explain a few Irish words during the tour to give the visitor an exposure to the local Irish language, Gaeilge.
At the end of the tour visitors are free to browse the merchandise in the reception area, use the toilet facilities (including mobility impaired facilities) and use the external areas for picnics or for photo opportunities. There is a covered outdoor smoking area for those who wish to smoke.
Visitors can arrive by bus or by car or bike. There is ample safe and secure parking on the premises of the distillery. Tour times are 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Monday to Sunday, January to December, where visitors will be able to experience the sights, smells, and tastes of a working craft distillery in one of the most beautiful and wild parts of the country.
For more, see www.loughmaskdistillery.com.
* Do you have a story to tell about your business? If so, Tom Gillespie would be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch at (087) 9680780 or gillespietom49@gmail.com.