Titanic Distillers Revives Belfast’s Whiskey Legacy After Nearly a Century

Titanic Distillers marked a significant achievement by reintroducing whiskey production to Belfast after an 88-year hiatus since Prohibition.

The distillery, operational for visitors since April, is situated at the historic Thompson Dock and Pumphouse, famously known as the Titanic’s cradle. With their distiller’s license in hand, the spirit production has officially commenced.

Head distiller, Damien Rafferty, expressed his excitement: “Initiating on-site production is monumental for both us and Belfast. Our mission now is crafting a whiskey that resonates with the local pride and garners global acclaim.”

The team behind Titanic Distillers dedicated over five years and invested approximately £8 million (US$10.2m) to transform the Pumphouse into a functional distillery, housing three Forsyth’s stills for single malt whiskey production.

The Pumphouse retains its original machinery and historical attributes, showcased during visitor tours.

Stephen Symington, Titanic Distillers’ director, commented, “Our goal was to fuse the distillery’s historical essence with a unique product and visitor experience. Beyond its touristic allure, we’re now a full-fledged distillery, crafting products to leverage the surging global appetite for Irish whiskey.”

Established in 1911, the Thompson Dry Dock serviced colossal transatlantic vessels, including the Titanic.

Titanic Distillers, adjacent to Titanic Belfast—Northern Ireland’s premier attraction and the world’s largest Titanic exhibit—attracted over 800,000 visitors annually before the pandemic.