Northern Ireland is blessed with dramatic geological formations, ancient castles perched on verdant, craggy cliffs, and beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea where locals often take bracing, restorative dips. It’s no surprise that many scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed across 25 locations in this spectacular region of the United Kingdom; now it has another distinction to celebrate.
Limavady Single Malt Whiskey, crafted in Northern Ireland, is unique as the only consistently available single barrel, single malt Irish whiskey. While other distillers occasionally release limited editions or special bottlings, Limavady maintains a single barrel expression as a permanent offering. Produced from 100 percent Irish barley in small batches and triple-distilled in copper pot stills, the spirit is aged initially in former bourbon barrels and finished in Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks. The result is a smooth dram with warm dried fruit notes layered over a sweet vanilla base and a lingering, satisfying finish. Each barrel yields just 846 bottles, creating natural variation that appeals to enthusiasts.
The whiskey is the creation of Darryl McNally, whose decades of experience include 17 years as distilling operations manager at Old Bushmills Distillery. McNally is also a descendant of the original Limavady distillers in County Derry, one of Ireland’s first licensed distilleries dating back to 1608.
© Limavady Whiskey
On the horizon for Limavady are experimental releases aged in a variety of wine casks; while McNally keeps exact details under wraps, enthusiasts can expect some surprising finishes. The name “Limavady” comes from the Gaelic léim an mhadaidh, which translates as “leap of the dog.” The team chose it as a symbol of bravery and goodwill and as a nod to the leap of faith taken to bring their vision to market. A playful current offering is the flagship bottle paired with a limited-edition dog collar featuring a mini cask with the logo, with proceeds supporting Best Friends Animal Society.
Although a distillery and tasting room remain at least five years away, visitors can immerse themselves in the landscape and the whiskey on a spirited sojourn. Capture an iconic photo at The Dark Hedges, a long avenue of beech trees whose intertwining branches arch toward the ground and appear prominently in a Season 2 episode of Game of Thrones. Even more awe-inspiring is Giant’s Causeway, where some 40,000 basalt columns—formed by an ancient volcanic eruption—interlock so perfectly they seem manmade.
Explore the ruins of Dunluce Castle, built in the 13th century on a basalt outcrop and guarded by steep cliffs. Enjoy lunch on Asian small plates and a Limavady sour at Urban in the seaside resort town of Portrush in County Antrim. A walk through Roe Valley Country Park offers views of the Roe River, a water source used for Limavady whiskey that has been noted since the seventh century. Finish the day with happy hour Limavady highballs (often paired with a Guinness chaser) at Blazing Saddle, the McNally family-run pub. At first glance the Wild West–themed bar may seem out of place, but step inside and you may be greeted by members of the McNally family—perhaps Darryl’s son performing with his band—or entertained by lively Irish step dancers. Sláinte!