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Whiskey Bus: The Northern Whiskey Lights

Overview

***** SOLD OUT*****

Step on board our Whiskey Bus from the 21st-28th September 2024, as we set off on an adventure to see our own version of the Northern Lights, as we visit every whiskey distillery & brand home in Northern Ireland.

Unpack & relax as we’ll be spending the full 7 nights in Belfast’s fair city, which once rivalled Dublin as one of the largest producers of Irish whiskey on the island, exporting millions of litres globally each year. Distilling returned to Belfast for the first time in almost 90 years in August 2023 at Titanic Distillers, which not only put the city in the whiskey spotlight once again, but also highlighted the incredible number of brands & distilleries in the nearby County Down, which boasts more distilleries than any other county in Ireland.

There will be boats, behind the scenes access & barrel sampling, all while enjoying exclusive access to some of the best known brand founders, blenders & distillers.

We’d love to welcome you to Ireland for your dream Irish whiskey adventure. Places on the Whiskey Bus are open on a first come, first served basis on Saturday 13th January at 12pm EST with a deposit of €1300/$1400 required to secure your place.

Cost per person sharing is 3835 euro (4200 USD) paid in x3 instalments (subsequent instalments due in March & May) with a single supplement of €1400, payable on the final instalment.

*Disclaimer: all events, experiences & personalities are subject to change at the last moment where factors out of our control may require a change. In such a case, an appropriate alternative as chosen by Irish Whiskey Experiences will be substituted in its stead.

Trip Highlights

  • Private dining & tasting at McConnell's Distillery at Crumlin Road Gaol with the Master
  • A speakeasy style cocktail evening with Shortcross Irish Whiskey
  • Private tour of the Bushmills Causeway Distillery with Master Blender Alex Thomas
  • Tales, Tipples & Harbour Cruise on a historical tour with Titanic Distillers
  • Exclusive sensory experience at Hinch Distillery hosted by Spirit Circle Belfast
  • Spirit smuggling boat adventure with Copeland Distillery
  • After hours warehouse whiskeys & dining under the pot stills at Echlinville Distillery
  • Private access to Two Stacks whiskey warehouse
  • Private audience with Brendan Carty at Killowen Distillery

Itinerary

  • Meet Irish Whiskey Experiences Team in Belfast at the Grand Central Hotel, our home for 7 nights
  • Welcome drinks reception & dinner at Crumlin Road Gaol, new home of McConnell’s Irish Whisky
  • Private tour of the distillery, dining with Master Distiller Graeme Millar & Brand Manager Sarah Kennedy

Dinner

  • Spend the afternoon at Rademon Estate Distillery, Home of Shortcross Irish Whiskey & gin with founders David & Fiona Boyd Armstrong
  • Enjoy a ‘Taste the Journey’ adventure & taste how Shortcross Irish Whiskey is carefully crafted at every single stage of production, from mash bills to fermentation, distillation & the casks selected for maturation
  • Exclusive, private warehouse tasting with founders David & Fiona
  • Return to Belfast for a secret cocktail experience with in the city…

Breakfast, Lunch

  • Travel to the County Antrim Coast & visit the home of Irish whiskey giant – Bushmills Irish Whiskey
  • Enjoy private access & a tasting at the new Causeway Distillery, led by Master Blender Alex Thomas
  • Savour a tasting of unreleased cask samples as well as some of the aged malt whiskey expressions
  • Return to Belfast – free time for dinner
  • Surprise evening & event in Belfast

Breakfast, Lunch

  • Enjoy a morning cruise on board the Lady of the Lagan, cruising around Belfast Harbour with local historian listening to tales of the Harbour’s fascinating ship building past
  • Step off the boat at Titanic Distillers for an immersive tour of Thompson Dry Dock & the Pump House, now home to Titanic Distillers
  • Enjoy a deconstructed tasting with Head Distiller Damien Rafferty & Brand Ambassador Arisha O’Hagan
  • In the evening, travel to Hinch Distillery for a tour of their beautiful distillery & crack open a few casks in their warehouse on site
  • Take part in The Sensorium, an immersive whiskey experience putting all your senses to the test, led by the Spirit Circle Belfast & Hinch Distillery

Breakfast, Lunch

  • Head to Donaghadee, home of Copeland Distillery
  • Founder Gareth Irvine will welcome us to the distillery which will be closed to the general public exclusively for our group
  • Boat adventure to the Copeland Islands for a foraging & tasting
  • Boat trip back to the distillery for cocktails & additional tasting
  • Private tour of the Copeland warehouse
  • Surprises throughout the day

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Free morning & afternoon to explore Belfast
  • An evening of casks, cocktails & craic after hours at the Echlinville Distillery, led by Jarlath Watson & Seamus Óg Birt
  • Draw whiskey direct from the cask deep in the Echlinville Warehouse
  • A local distillery dinner by the pot stills accompanied a live traditional Irish band
  • Surprises along the way

Breakfast, Dinner

  • A morning of private access to the Two Stacks whiskey warehouse & sampling
  • Private audience with Brendan Carty at Killowen Distillery
  • Farewell dinner in a wild, wild location… some details are best kept secret

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Return to Dublin Airport

Your Whiskey Bus Experience

What's Included

  • 7 nights 5* hotel, bed & breakfast
  • Lunch or dinner every day
  • All whiskey experiences and tastings
  • All bus & boat travel between experiences
  • Shipping for up to 20 bottles (purchased during the 7 days)
  • Surprises along the way

What's Not Included

  • Flights to Ireland
  • Travel & health insurance
  • Whiskey purchased at distilleries
  • Any other personal purchases

FAQs

How do I reserve my place?

Reservations are now open & to secure your place a deposit is required. Simply click the link at the top of the page which will open a secure payment link.

How will I pay for the remainder of my trip?

Once you have paid your deposit to secure your place, we will follow up with an email confirmation to reassure you that your space on the bus is secured. When we require the second & third payment we will send a reminder & a secure payment link via email

I have a query, how can I discuss it?

No problem, simply drop us an email at info@irishwhiskeyexperiences.com & a member of our team will get back to you.

I can no longer make the trip, can I cancel?

Whiskey Bus guests may cancel their trip at any time before its commencement but it’s important to note that the initial trip deposit is refundable only if the trip is canceled within 30 days of payment of initial deposit.
There are no refunds of second or third installments due to inability to travel or cancellation for any reason.
We strive to provide a fair and transparent refund policy, ensuring that customers have the opportunity to make informed decisions and manage their travel plans with flexibility within the specified timeframes.
We recommend taking out trip insurance that will cover any unforeseen costs outside of the above timeframes.

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Send us an Enquiry About Availability

Whiskey Bus: The Northern Whiskey Lights
From $4242
/ Adult
  • 7 nights in a 5* hotel
  • Barry Chandler, Lauren McMullan & Anthony Sheehy
  • Breakfast, most lunches & dinners
  • Private, luxury coach
  • 18

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