Jameson Experience, Midleton

History

In 1796, Marcus Lynch leased land from Viscount Midleton and having obtained rights to use the waters of the Dungourney River, built a large woollen mill. In 1803, during the Napoleonic Wars, this mill was purchased by the Government for use as a barracks and stables. The building later changed hands several times, before eventually being purchased for £4,000 by three brothers, James, Daniel and Jeremiah Murphy, in 1825, to take advantage of the 1823 Excise Act which had distillation far more financially attractive.

The Murphys invested a considerable sum in establishing a large distilling operation at the site, which was to become known as James Murphy and Company. A large undershot timber water wheel was installed to help power the distillery (which was replaced in 1852, by an iron water wheel which survives on-site to this day). In addition, a mammoth 31,618 pot still was constructed at the distillery which remains the largest ever built. The pot still was so large, that it needed to be assembled on-site with the distillery built around it. The ambition of the Murphys (and the effect of the 1823 excise reforms) is underlined by the fact that just two years earlier, the largest pot still in Ireland had a capacity of just 750 gallons. In 1827, Murphy's distillery is reported to have produced over 188,000 proof gallons of spirit, and by the 1830s, distillery output had risen further, to 400,000 proof gallons per annum, with the distillery having a payroll of nearly 200.

In the mid-1800s, the Irish whiskey industry underwent a period of turmoil, with temperance movement of the 1830s, and the Great Famine of the 1840s reducing domestic demand for whiskey. At the time, Cork was home to several distilleries, therefore, in the 1860s, James Murphy (head of the company, and son of the founder), suggested amalgamating the operations of several local distilleries. The other distilleries agreed, so in 1867, Cork Distilleries Company (CDC) was formed, with Murphy at the helm. In 1867, CDC took control of four Cork distilleries: North Mall, The Green, Watercourse and Daly's, and a year later Midleton Distillery joined the fold.

In 1886, Alfred Barnard, a British historian visited the distillery, describing its location close to both rail and water carriage, amidst large corn-growing country as a desirable location to establish a distillery. In addition to the 31,618 gallon wash still, Barnard stated that the distillery boasted two 10,000 gallon spirits stills, and unusually for an Irish distillery at the time, a Coffey Still. The distillery, which was lit by gas, was reported to have an output in excess of 1,000,000 gallons per annum, and to produce a whiskey known as "The Cork Whisky Make". In later years, whiskey from the distillery was known as Cork Distilleries Company Old Irish Whisky, before becoming known as simply "Paddy".

In the years that followed Barnard's visit, the Irish whiskey industry entered a period of decline, with Irish whiskey losing significant market share due to a variety of events. These included, the rise of blended Scotch whisky, Prohibition in the United States, the Anglo-Irish trade war (which locked Irish exports out of the British Empire).

When Alfred Barnard visited Ireland, there were 28 distilleries in operation, however, by the 1960s, only a handful of these remained in operation. In 1966 three of these (John Jameson & Son, John Powers & Son and Cork Distilleries Company) chose to amalgamate their operations under the name of Irish Distillers and to close their existing facilities, and concentrate their operations in a new purpose-built facility to be constructed alongside the existing distillery in Midleton.

In July 1975, operations ceased at the Old Midleton Distillery and began anew the next day at the next day at New Midleton Distillery, with the Jameson Bow Street Distillery and Powers John's Lane Distillery shutting a year later. As a result, the new distillery, is now home to many Irish whiskeys such as Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Redbreast, Green Spot, previously produced in separate distilleries.

In 1992, the Old Midleton Distillery reopened as a visitor's centre, known as the Jameson Experience.

Connection with Murphy's Stout

Murphy's Brewery, known for producing Murphy's Irish Stout, was established by two younger members of the Murphy family who left the distillery business to strike out on their own in brewing in the 1850s.

Visitor attractions

The Jameson Experience, Midleton tour explains the history of Jameson Whiskey and the distillery that operated before it was produced there. Tours include a film, and walking tour, in which guests are guided through the old distillery, where they can admire the old kilns, mills, maltings, water wheel, still house, distiller’s cottage, cooperage and warehouses. Small numbers of visitors can also volunteer to participate in a taste test, comparing Jameson Whiskey, Scotch whisky, and American whiskey, to become a "Qualified Irish Whiskey Taster".

Shuttle bus service are available from April to October - 10.00am and 2.00pm daily from Patrick's Quay, Cork to the Jameson Experience, Midleton and return.