Wilde Wednesday: The Return of a Belfast Legend

On the fourth Wednesday of each month, we go a little deeper — into the stories, the craft, and the culture of great Irish whiskey. This month, we’re pouring something with roots as old as the American Revolution: McConnell’s Irish Whisky.

McConnell’s Irish Whisky

Long before Irish whiskey became a global phenomenon, it was the pride of local cities — and Belfast’s whiskey legacy belonged to the McConnell brothers.

Founded in 1776, McConnell’s Irish Whisky is one of the oldest whiskey brands ever to emerge from Ireland. For over 150 years, it was a household name: known for its craftsmanship, clean style, and the kind of everyday drinkability that kept it behind bars and in homes around the world.

But like many great Irish whiskey houses, McConnell’s faced more than its fair share of setbacks. A pair of devastating fires in 1907 and 1909 wiped out stock and storage. The onset of U.S. Prohibition and a collapsing export market in the early 20th century brought even more pressure. Eventually, McConnell’s quietly disappeared, one of many casualties of a once-booming industry.

Then, in 2020 — nearly 90 years after its last bottling — McConnell’s returned.

Revived by the Belfast Distillery Company, McConnell’s is more than just a brand reboot. It’s a genuine effort to bring one of Ireland’s most historic whiskeys back to life, and back to Belfast. In a bold and poetic move, the new McConnell’s distillery is being built inside Crumlin Road Gaol — a 19th-century prison turned landmark, now transformed into a working distillery and visitor experience.

It’s a full-circle moment: a forgotten spirit returning to its roots, not just in name but in place.

The Whisky Itself

Today, McConnell’s is once again bottling high-quality Irish whisky with a style that honors its origins — approachable, flavorful, and versatile.

• McConnell’s 5-Year-Old Original is a blend of malt and grain whisky, aged in first-fill bourbon barrels. It’s smooth, lightly spiced, and subtly sweet — a perfect gateway whisky, but with enough character to stand alone.

• McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish takes that same blend and finishes it in Oloroso sherry casks, bringing rich fruit, baking spice, and a deeper, more indulgent profile. It’s the kind of whisky that catches you off-guard with its elegance.

One small but telling detail: McConnell’s uses the spelling “whisky” without the “e” — just as the McConnell brothers did in 1776. It’s not a mistake; it’s a nod to history, and to their original label.

A Whiskey Worth Rediscovering

For those unfamiliar with McConnell’s, this isn’t just another bottle on the shelf. It’s a living piece of Irish whiskey history, reborn with intention. Its return isn’t flashy or gimmicky — it’s thoughtful, grounded, and driven by a deep respect for the craft and the city it came from.

Whether you try it neat, on the rocks, or in one of our featured cocktails like The Quiet Scholar, McConnell’s offers more than just a great pour — it tells a story. One of resilience, return, and the kind of legacy that doesn’t fade easily.

This week, we’re proud to feature McConnell’s for Whiskey Wednesday — a quiet legend reborn, now ready for your glass.

✨This Month’s Wilde Wednesday Specials

To celebrate the legacy of McConnell’s, we’re offering two ways to sip:

Neat or On the Rocks (Single Pour)

• McConnell’s 5-Year Original – $7

• McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish – $8

OR

Featured Cocktail: The Quiet Scholar – $12
McConnell’s Irish Whisky, Fonseca Bin 27 port, honey, and black walnut bitters — stirred and served over a big rock with an orange peel.

Available in two expressions:

• Original – clean, smooth, and approachable

• Sherry Cask Finish – richer, fruit-forward, and spiced

Available this Wilde Wednesday only, during Wilde About Whiskey Night, the 4th Wednesday of every month.