Grain Sourcing
GND source Irish barley which is malted (steeped, geminated & kilned) at a malting’s. GND also source unmalted barley for pot still whiskey production and peated malt for peated spirit production.
Milling & Mashing
The incoming grains at the distillery is screened and transferred to storage silos. The grains are then wet milled, exposing the inside of the grain, to form a grist. The grist is then mixed with hot water in the mash and lauter tun to facilitate the starch conversion process which enables the starches to be converted into fermentable sugars (wort).
Fermentation
The wort is then transferred to the washback’s and yeast is added. The yeast converts the sugar in the wort to alcohol which is known as wash.
Distilling
For malt and pot still spirit batch production, the wash is heated in copper pot stills. The heating causes the alcohol to boil and the alcohol vapours rise up the neck of the still and cooled in the vapour condenser. This process is repeated to produce ‘new fill’ is usually distilled three times. The Distiller can create different flavour styles of malt and pot still spirit by altering the timing of cuts during the pot still distillation.
Casking
The spirit alcohol is reduced in the spirit vats with pure reverse osmosis water prior to casking. The malt and pot still spirit is reduced to customer specifications which has a typical casking ABV of 63%.
GND predominately use American white oak casks which typically have a capacity of 200lt. GND also source sherry butts and wine casks.
Maturation
During the maturation process in a casks the spirit profile changes with both flavour and colour.
To be classed as Irish Whiskey the spirit is required to remain in a casks for a minimum of 3 years however many whiskeys are matured for much longer.
Grain Sourcing
For Irish grain whiskey spirit production maize is sourced along with a small percentage of Irish malted barley.
Milling & Mashing
The incoming grains at the distillery is screened and transferred to storage silos. The grains are then hammer milled, exposing the inside of the grain, to form a grist. The mashing involves a cooking and conversion stage to produce a wort for fermentation.
Fermentation
The wort is then transferred to the washback’s and yeast is added. The yeast converts the sugar in the wort to alcohol which is known as wash.
Distilling
Grain distillation involves continuous triple distillation process in three large vertical columns. The grain spirit is distilled until an A.B.V. of 94% is reached.
Casking
The spirit alcohol is reduced in the spirit vats with pure reverse osmosis water prior to casking. The malt and pot still spirit is reduced to customer specifications which has a typical casking ABV of 68.5%.
GND predominately use American white oak casks which typically have a capacity of 200lt. GND also source sherry butts and wine casks.
Aging
During the maturation process in a casks the spirit profile changes with both flavour and colour.
To be classed as Irish Whiskey the spirit is required to remain in a casks for a minimum of 3 years however many whiskeys are matured for much longer.
Quality & Sustainability
Geographical Indication
The Great Northern Distillery are registered under the Geographical Indication for both Irish Whiskey and Irish Poitín under EU Regulation No. 110/2008.
Quality
The Great Northern Distillery quality management systems are certified to ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
Great Northern Distillery- ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certificate
Laboratory
The Great Northern Distillery has a dedicated in house laboratory which continuously monitors the quality of our intermediates and spirit products.
Sustainability
The Great Northern Distillery participates in the Bord Bia Origin Green Sustainability Charter Programme whereby the distillery has set ambitious 5 year sustainability targets
Great Northern Distillery – Origin Green Sustainability Certificate
Co-products
The distillery produces a range of spent grain and liquid co-products which are utilised for animal feed. The distillery is registered under the Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS).