minutes with 5

Homeplace Manager, Slane Distillery

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MENU AT SLANE DISTILLERY?

When it comes to our drinks menu, we always let Slane Irish Whiskey do the talking. You can taste any of our expressions in whatever way you enjoy your whiskey and sample our delicious handcrafted cocktails too. Our resident mixologist has created a whiskey twist on some of the classics like The Amplifier, which is our version of the popular Negroni. We love to work with local Boyne Valley producers where possible throughout our drinks menu too, incorporating some of their fabulous ingredients into our serves.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE SPIRIT OF THE MOMENT?

Last year, Irish whiskey was the second fastest-growing spirit category in the US, leaping forward by 17.8% to 5.9 million cases. If that trend continues, it’s set to eclipse its age-old rival across the Irish Sea in its biggest market within a decade. It’s so exciting to be a part of this growing industry, especially working for a brand like Slane Irish Whiskey. It’s now available in every US state across the country and just one of only five new-to-world premium+ whiskeys to reach 25,000 cases in the US since 1990 (IWSR).

WHAT’S THE MAIN CHALLENGE OF MANAGING A DISTILLERY TODAY?

Like many businesses across the country, we are trying to manage the cost of inflation and our costs of goods have increased

I started off in the tourism industry as a tour guide and mentor for international language groups in my hometown of Derry. From there I made the move abroad, working and living across the UK and Australia. When I returned to Ireland in 2017, I joined the team at Slane Distillery in the project phase, so it’s been rewarding to watch the business and brand grow over the past five years and to play a part in that success.

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS TO?

Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone on many occasions during my career has allowed me to gain knowledge in a wide range of areas and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I like to throw myself into every opportunity I’m given, always open to learning from others and not to forget to roll up my sleeves and work hard!