Located in County Sligo, Ireland, Hawk’s Rock represents the rebranding of Lough Gill Distillery, which was acquired by Sazerac in 2022.
Heritage Site Rebranded as Hawk’s Rock Distillery
Sazerac Company has renamed its Irish Whiskey Distillery, formerly known as Lough Gill Distillery, to Hawk’s Rock Distillery. Located on a 100‑acre estate in County Sligo, Ireland—including the nationally listed Hazelwood House—the site will continue to produce and age Irish whiskey under Sazerac’s ownership. Master Blender Helen Mulholland will oversee operations on the historic grounds.
Vision Tied to Local Legacy
The new name, Hawk’s Rock, honors a notable outcrop in the Ox Mountains that inspired W.B. Yeats’s play At the Hawk’s Well. According to Sazerac, the rebrand “reflects Sazerac Company’s vision for the future of Irish Whiskey – the art and science of blending, innovation and respect for Sligo’s rich heritage.” The distillery aims to become a global hub for Irish whiskey while serving as a gateway to Sligo’s cultural traditions.
Leadership in Blending Innovation
Helen Mulholland, the first female Master Blender in Irish whiskey history and Chair of the Irish Whiskey Association, will lead the distillation team. A Whisky Hall of Fame inductee, Mulholland and her team are tasked with creating and blending Hawk’s Rock’s “innovative new‑to‑world Irish whiskey brands,” the first of which is slated to debut in June 2025.
Strategic Upgrades Following 2022 Acquisition
Sazerac acquired Lough Gill Distillery in 2022, citing its historical significance and Ireland’s cultural richness. Since the acquisition, Sazerac has tripled warehouse capacity, expanded production, and commenced modernization efforts to support growth while upholding quality standards.
Commitment to Tradition and Change
Jake Wenz, President and CEO of Sazerac, emphasizes the balance between heritage and innovation: “Sazerac is known for its balanced approach to honoring tradition while embracing change in constant pursuit of crafting the world’s best spirits … Our mission holds true for Ireland, and we are excited to reveal how we are blending time‑honored traditions with bold innovation to advance the art of Irish whiskey‑making.”
Future Visitor Experience Planned
While Hawk’s Rock Distillery remains closed to the public during renovations, Sazerac has secured planning permission to develop a visitor experience in Sligo. For further details, visit www.hawksrockdistillery.com.
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