Launching the season to be jolly will be Hinch Distillery’s unveiling of its unique 24ft tree made from up-cycled whiskey barrels and topped off with sparkling lights and a luscious bow.
Hinch Distillery, which will celebrate its one year anniversary this month, has spent 48 painstaking hours creating the most unique Christmas setting ahead of the festive season.
The whiskey and gin Distillery, which lies between Belfast and Ballynahinch on the Carryduff Road and is nestled in the grounds of the beautiful Killaney Estate, has created a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree made from 150 repurposed Hinch Irish Whiskey barrels.
It took a team of eight, under the helm of Co Down decoration installer www.christmasisus.com, to craft the striking structure.
The creatives have ensured all elements of the tree pay homage to the Whiskey distilling process at Hinch. This includes a globe made from strips that hold the barrels in place.
The structure, which will continue its life after Christmas as all-year-round repurposed furnishings including chairs and plant pots, is a stunning concept dreamt up by Head Designer Paul Fitz.
He said: “We are very excited to showcase this truly special Christmas tree to the public. We believe it’s the first large whiskey barrel structure in Ireland.
“As a company, Christmas Is Us is committed to recycling, upcycling and repurposing materials. The design and build of a structure that repurposes used, redundant whiskey barrels is to be commended and we are delighted Hinch Distillery is keeping its Christmas sustainable. When the structure is taken down, further repurposing may occur.”
The Whiskey Barrel Christmas Tree light switch-on marked the beginning of a packed menu of festive gift and celebration ideas from Hinch Distillery.
Among the offering is a brand new 12-year-old Amarone Cask Finish Hinch Irish Whiskey.
The perfect gift for the Whiskey lover, the new product has been aged for 11 years in ex-bourbon American Oak and finished in Masi Amarone casks for 12 months.
Meanwhile the Distillery itself is gearing up for festive get-togethers with group tours welcoming corporate teams, families and friendship groups.
The tours illustrate the distilling process behind the brands and offer tastings, as well as a popular gin school.
Hinch Distillery Director Patrick Cross said: “The visitor tour experience is truly unique and it has enriched the drinks tourism sector in Northern Ireland. We hope to educate and indulge whiskey connoisseurs and novices alike in the coming months and expect big demand for both our Hinch Irish whiskey tours and Gin School Experience in 2022.”
For those who wish to relax and taste the ambience, the Hinch Brasserie will be at hand providing sustenance for festive gatherings with a specially crafted Christmas Menu while the sophisticated gift store will dish up more gifting ideas.
Speaking about the distillery’s first Christmas open to the public, Dr Terry Cross OBE, Chairman of Hinch Distillery, said: “We are delighted to have created a beautiful setting to meet very special social and gifting needs this Christmas time.
“We have been very busy over the past year launching a wide and varied selection of spirits including the new 12-year-old Amarone Cask Finish Hinch Irish Whiskey.
“Hinch Distillery has been working hard behind the scenes since its production lines opened in November 2019 and distilling started on site in November 2020. To be able to unveil that process in its entirety to the Northern Ireland public and our visitors, especially during the most magical time of the year, has been a highly anticipated moment.”
Surprise your loved ones with a luxury gift experience this Christmas. Why not book a Hinch Irish Whiskey Tour or the Gin School Experience? Log on to hinchdistillery.com to find out more about gift vouchers and take the hassle out of Christmas shopping.
