AN INTRODUCTION TO BOANN
Boann Distillery is an independent, family-run distillery in the heart of Ireland’s Boyne Valley — a landscape steeped in mythology, ancient history and whiskey-making tradition. Founded by Patrick and Marie Cooney alongside their family, the distillery was built with a clear purpose: to revive the true character of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, one of Ireland’s most distinctive and historic whiskey styles.
A uniquely Irish style of whiskey, Single Pot Still must legally be made from a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley, which together must make up at least 95% of the recipe, with up to 5% of other grains such as oats, wheat or rye. It must come from a single distillery, be distilled in copper pot stills and matured in wooden casks on the island of Ireland for a minimum of three years.
Here’s the interesting part: today, most distilleries produce Single Pot Still using only malted and unmalted barley — typically in a 50/50 split. But at Boann, the team actively champions the use of those historic “other grains”. By reintroducing oats, wheat and rye — grains largely absent from Irish whiskey for more than fifty years — they’re rediscovering the flavours that once defined the category.
To make these mash bills possible, the distillery was custom-built to handle and distil these grains properly. Combined with locally sourced barley, yeast propagated in Ireland and water drawn from Boann’s own deep well in the Boyne Valley, the result is whiskey that feels both rooted in history and full of modern energy — vibrant, layered and unmistakably Irish.
The distillery itself takes its name from Boann, the mythological goddess of the River Boyne. The valley surrounding it is one of Ireland’s richest archaeological landscapes, home to ancient monuments like Newgrange and stories stretching back more than 5,000 years. It’s a place where the cycles of nature — the rising sun, the setting moon and the rhythms of the land — have always carried deep cultural meaning.
Protecting this landscape is also part of Boann’s philosophy. As Origin Green Gold members, the distillery operates a closed-loop water system, uses solar energy and maximises energy recovery across its site. Each year they also plant 1,000 oak trees as part of their Barrel Sustainability Plan, helping protect the environment while supporting the long-term future of whiskey production.
That connection to landscape, history and innovation runs through everything Boann does today. By reviving historic mash bills and exploring the full flavour potential of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, the Cooney family is helping reintroduce the world to a style of whiskey that is rich, complex and uniquely Irish.
A Note on Vintage Mash Bills
One of the most exciting projects at Boann is their work on Vintage Mash Bills.
These historic recipes reflect the grain combinations used by Irish distillers throughout the country’s whiskey-making past. Working alongside whiskey historian Fionnán O’Connor, Boann has begun recreating these lost mash bills as part of his PhD research — bringing them back to life using traditional techniques alongside modern distilling technology.
The result is more than just an experiment. Each mash bill offers a glimpse into the flavours, agricultural practices and distilling traditions that shaped Irish whiskey across different eras, from the early 1800s through to the mid-20th century.
By reviving these historic recipes, Boann is not only honouring the craftsmanship of past distillers — they’re helping ensure that the deep cultural and culinary legacy of Irish whiskey remains vibrant for generations to come.
Together, Boann Distillery and Fionnán O’Connor are showing just how diverse, expressive and exciting Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey can be.
HEADING TO IRELAND?
Check out our tried and tested guide to our favourite pubs across Ireland! Something to compliment any visit to whiskey distilleries in Ireland. Enjoy!
