Irish whiskey is in the midst of a shake-up. Headlines of stalled projects and financial uncertainty at some big-name distilleries, such as Waterford, Powerscourt, Roe & Co., to name a few, have cast a shadow over what was once a booming industry. But not all is doom and gloom. In fact, some distilleries are not just weathering the storm, they’re thriving. One such name is Copeland, a fearless, crowdfunded craft distillery that’s steadily carved out a name for itself. Now, with the release of its own whiskey, Copeland is making waves and turning heads, proving there’s still plenty of life, and spirit in the future of Irish whiskey.

This isn’t Copeland’s first appearance on the Water of Life. Back in 2023, Mike reviewed their first endeavour, The Merchant’s Quay, calling it “a great blend” that left him optimistic about the distillery’s future. Fast forward to today, and that future has arrived with Copeland busier and bolder than ever. Overlooking the Copeland Islands from Donaghadee harbour, Copeland Distillery takes its inspiration from a landscape steeped in history. Once a Viking trading post and later a smuggling route for rum and whiskey, these islands and the surrounding sea are central to County Down’s rich maritime heritage.

Since opening in 2019 in a beautifully restored former cinema, Copeland has quickly become a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s craft spirits scene. Their lineup includes award-winning gins, rums, vodka, liqueurs, and, more recently, their own pot-still and malt whiskeys. From stills named after the founder’s family to the use of wild botanicals and local fruit, Copeland is deeply rooted in place and tradition.

The excitement around their first whiskey release, Cask 001, was palpable and justified. It sold out quickly at the end of last year, with over 200 bottles flying off the shelves. But their next release, 25.1 Batch 1, aimed higher: bigger yield, wider availability, and a more ambitious expression of their vision. 25.1 is a double-distilled whiskey crafted from a Chocolate Malt mash bill (10% chocolate malt, 90% malted barley). For the uninitiated, chocolate malt is a deeply roasted barley grain that brings rich notes of cocoa, coffee, and toast,  often used in dark beers like porters and stouts. In whiskey offers bold flavour and distinctive depth.

This release blends three 200L first-fill American bourbon casks, aged for 4 years and 9 months. It’s then finished for 5 months in Virgin American Oak (char level 4), bringing the total maturation time to 5 years and 2 months. Rounding things out is a quarter cask aged for 5 years and 5 months in a first-fill Oloroso sherry cask, adding a touch of richness and finesse. 25.1 doesn’t just feel like a release; it’s a statement of intent from Copeland and a bold glimpse into the future of their whiskey journey.

Copeland Distillery. 25.1.

Price: £85 (currently sold out!)

ABV: 46%

Nose: A burst of maraschino cherries and dark chocolate nibs opens the experience, followed by rich waves of Turkish delight and a touch of cigar ash. There’s a beautiful balance throughout, with subtle notes of flat cola and boozy, rum-soaked raisins adding complexity.

Palate: A hint of cinnamon lozenger leads into a deep, layered profile, reminiscent of a crème brûlée with an extra-dark, caramelised top. Herbal undertones emerge, with a touch of aniseed, complemented by sweet honey and a fizzy note of strawberry sherbet.

Finish: Gently salty and woody, with a touch of pepper lingering on the tongue.

Conclusion

As a debut release, this is an impressive showing from Copeland. I was especially taken with the subtle layers of complexity woven throughout. While there’s no peated malt in the mix, there’s a certain mustiness, almost an ashy note, that adds a compelling depth. It cleverly tempers the sweetness, which might have otherwise dominated. Copeland has struck a superb balance here.

It’s also worth noting that while some may view the price point as high, it’s important to consider the financial challenges faced by craft distilleries. That said, the presentation is outstanding , the whiskey comes in a glossy box with a cushioned insert that cradles the bottle beautifully. It’s clear that a great deal of thought and care has gone into every detail.

As for Copeland, it’s clear this distillery is poised to go from strength to strength. With another release hinted at in the near future, I expect they’ll build confidently on the success of this one.

Score: 7/10