The Copeland Distillery story started in the summer of 2016, when we successfully raised £30,000 from crowdfunding.Our journey could not have started without the support of over 390 Founders who pledged between £50 and £500, taking a chance on the new ginfusions products based solely on our brand values and story.

Their belief in what we were planning to create was instrumental in getting our products to market and for that we are eternally grateful. After nine months construction, we opened the doors of the new Copeland Distillery in August 2019, signalling the start of our journey to create Northern Ireland’s most innovative craft distillery. Our 6,500 square-foot home is located just a stone’s throw from the historic harbour in Donaghadee, County Down, revitalising the former cinema and Ards bottling Company site which lay unoccupied for more than 20 years. 

Our 125-year lease is a signal of our commitment to Donaghadee and our ambition to share the area’s rich maritime and distilling history with domestic and international visitors. The Distillery is the production site of our award winning Classic Irish and Navy Strength gins, our rum range and our new range of malt and pot-still whiskey which are currently maturing prior to release from 2024. Visitors can also take advantage of our distillery tour, learning more about our range of spirits, how we make our products or just relaxing and taking some time in our coffee shop. 

We have three copper stills, two whiskey and one gin still, named Betty, Hessie and Pam after Gareth’s grandmothers and Mum, and take pride in carefully selecting fair, wild botanicals and local fruits sourced from the farms of County Down. Our mission is simple: to create great tasting spirits which surprise and delight, and reflect the history and traditions of the local area.