Sazerac takes flight with Hawk’s Rock Distillery
The distillery formerly known as Lough Gill has a new name: Hawk’s Rock Distillery.
Sazerac Company – the spirits giant behind Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Pappy Van Winkle – has officially renamed its Irish whiskey site, giving it a new look and fresh ambition.
Located in County Sligo on Ireland’s west coast, the over-100-acre site includes the historic Hazelwood House. The name itself is a nod to Hawk’s Rock, a striking peak in the Ox Mountains that inspired W.B. Yeats’ 1917 play At the Hawk’s Well.
Introducing: Hawk’s Rock Distillery
A new name, not a new beginning
Sazerac acquired Lough Gill Distillery back in 2022, drawn by the site’s natural beauty, historical depth, and all that sweet growth Irish whiskey was going through. Since then, the company has quietly tripled its warehouse capacity, expanded production, and kicked off a full modernisation effort.
A good name will only get you so far. Luckily, Hawk’s Rock can count on the expertise of Helen Mulholland, Irish whiskey’s first female master blender, Chair of the Irish Whiskey Association, and a bona fide Whisky Hall of Famer. The appointment of the former Bushmills whiskey maker speaks volumes.
As does the granting of planning permission has been granted for a visitor experience in Sligo. Given Sazerac’s track record with immersive brand experiences in Kentucky, Cognac, London, and Goa, we predict this won’t be a half-hearted affair.
Hawk’s Rock Distillery is currently closed to the public while renovations continue, but in the meantime, the distillery is quietly laying the groundwork. You know, the usual stuff. Filling casks to mature, blending, late-night Yeats readings…
But most excitingly, we can expect the first Hawk’s Rock release soon.
Described only as a “new-to-world Irish whiskey brand”, it’s set to land in June 2025. While the details are still tightly under wraps, the phrasing is intriguing.
The stills at Hawk’s Rock Distillery
The Last Drop: The tl;dr version
Lough Gill Distillery is now Hawk’s Rock Distillery, Sazerac’s new home for Irish whiskey in County Sligo. With Helen Mulholland at the helm and a major release on the way in June 2025, it’s not just a name change – it’s a statement.
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