Rediscovering Ireland’s distilling roots: Killowen’s bold blend of tradition and innovation
Event details
Webinar
Killowen Distillery is on a mission to restore Ireland’s rich distilling heritage through historical methods and bold innovation.
This session examines how authenticity and experimentation coexist in Killowen’s approach to craft distilling, through distiller Brendan Carty’s mission to rediscover forgotten styles of native distilling. This webinar is ideal for spirits students seeking deeper insight into Ireland’s distillation past and future
Speaker
Brendan Carty
Killowen
Director
Brendan Carty, owner and head distiller at Killowen Distillery, is a passionate advocate for traditional Irish distilling methods. Originally trained as an architect, Carty left his profession to pursue a deeper connection with Ireland’s spirit-making heritage. His journey took him across Europe, studying old-world distillation techniques, before founding Killowen Distillery in the Mourne Mountains in 2018. Carty is known for his uncompromising approach, using direct-fire pot stills, worm tub condensers, and native grains to create bold, terroir-driven spirits. Deeply rooted in transparency and authenticity, he often experiments with heritage mash bills and unconventional cask finishes, earning Killowen a cult-like following among whiskey enthusiasts. Carty’s work revives long-forgotten styles of Irish whiskey and poitín, combining historical integrity with innovative flair. More than just a distiller, he’s a storyteller, infusing each bottle with the history, landscape, and soul of County Down. His dedication has earned Killowen global recognition in the craft spirits world.