Jameson’s Middleton Distillery
As luck would have it, we drove smack dab into the Jameson Distillery in Middleton, just a few kilometers from Cork. Our timing was divine as the instant we walked through the rather large arched barndoor-style entrance we were summoned for the next tour! This is not a working Distillery any more (as we were told often, followed by no you can’t see the new one!) but it is impressive nonetheless. It is a massive facility, I would estimate near 10 acres, with the world’s largest copper pot still. All of the barley was stored and malted on site. There is a 20’ diameter waterwheel that was used to power the mill to crush the barley. Two 45,000 gallon (over 1450 bbl’s each) wooden fermentaion vessles perched 15 feet above the rather smallish looking mash tun. Did I say impressive!
The Master Distiller had a 14 room house nestled in the center court yard next to the malting house, brewhouse and the still. I guess he was a big deal! The current Jameson Master Distiller was born there where he was taught the trade by his Father! Hey AAH- where’s my 14 room house?
As we proceeded through the tour I couldn’t help but think we are already performing 75% of this process at the Auburn Alehouse. We just need a beautiful hammered copper pot still, some old used barrels from Jack Daniels and some storage space and we’re off……maybe it was the Irish in me (or Irish Whiskey in me) but I could feel the pub/distillery idea bubble forming in my brain……
Jameson Distillery, Middleton Ireland
Check back with you straight-away!
Cheers!