Days Out NI
Distillery Derry/Londonderry

The Quiet Man Distillery (Niche Drinks)

Derry's planned £12m whiskey distillery that never opened to the public.

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OpenNot applicable. The project was cancelled…
TicketedTours & tastings
Derry/LondonderryDistillery
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Not a visit destinationHow long
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The Quiet Man Distillery (Niche Drinks) — Derry's planned £12m whiskey distillery that never opened to the public.

  • Getting in: No public access — the distillery was never built and there is no visitor centre or tour.
  • Tours: None. The planned grain-to-glass tour and tasting were never delivered.
  • Opening: Not applicable. The project was cancelled before opening.
  • Age limits: Not applicable.
  • Food: None on site. Ebrington Square nearby has bars and restaurants.
  • Parking: Public parking is available around Ebrington Square.
Plan your visit

What was planned for Ebrington Square

Niche Drinks secured planning permission in February 2017 to turn four 1840s former military buildings on Ebrington Square into a malt-whiskey distillery. The design called for a grain mill, copper pot stills, a visitor centre, a shop and a walled whiskey garden where you could sample The Quiet Man. Capacity was set at up to 500,000 litres of pure alcohol a year, and the firm spoke of creating around 35 jobs. On paper it was Derry's first purpose-built whiskey distillery in roughly a century and a half.

Not open to visit Distillery never built Planned for Ebrington Square Project scrapped 2018-2019 Brand still sold in shops Derry / Londonderry
Good to know before you go:

There is no programme of events here, as the distillery never opened. Plenty of other Northern Ireland distilleries run tours, tastings and seasonal late openings through the year, so check what is on across the region before you plan a day out.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🪪Photo IDTastings are 18+ — bring ID if you look under 25.
  • 🚗A plan to get homeA designated driver or lift, so everyone can enjoy the tasting.
  • 👟Comfy shoesWorking distilleries have stairs and hard floors on the tour.
  • 💷A few poundsFor the shop and a bottle to take home.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Getting in
No public access — the distillery was never built and there is no visitor centre or tour.
Opening
Not applicable. The project was cancelled before opening.
Tours
None. The planned grain-to-glass tour and tasting were never delivered.
Age limits
Not applicable.
Food
None on site. Ebrington Square nearby has bars and restaurants.
Family-friendly
Not a visitor attraction. Ebrington Square is a pleasant public space to walk.
Parking
Public parking is available around Ebrington Square.
Accessibility
Not applicable to a venue that was never built; Ebrington Square is broadly level and accessible.
How long to allow
Not a visit destination.
Address
Ebrington Square, Derry / Londonderry, BT47 (planned site; not open to the public)
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
No public access — the distillery was never built and there is no visitor centre or tour.
What tours are there?
None. The planned grain-to-glass tour and tasting were never delivered.
What are the opening times?
Not applicable. The project was cancelled before opening.
Is there an age limit?
Not applicable.
Is there food or a bar?
None on site. Ebrington Square nearby has bars and restaurants.
Getting there

The Quiet Man Distillery (Niche Drinks) is at Ebrington Square, Derry / Londonderry, BT47 (planned site; not open to the public). Public parking is available around Ebrington Square. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out in Derry/LondonderrySee what else is close by More distilleries across NIWhiskey, gin and craft spirits
The story

About The Quiet Man Distillery

The Quiet Man is an Irish whiskey brand from Niche Drinks, a Derry company that has worked in the spirits trade for decades. In February 2017 the firm announced a £12m plan to build a malt-whiskey distillery on Ebrington Square, reusing four former British Army barracks buildings that date to around 1841. It was billed as the first whiskey distillery built in the city for roughly 150 years, with first distillation hoped for 2018 and a visitor centre to follow.

The plan unravelled. In November 2018 Niche Drinks confirmed the build had been cancelled, citing commercial factors. US partner Luxco later looked at taking the project on, but by November 2019 it was on hold and the distillery was never constructed. The Quiet Man whiskey range continued to be produced and sold, but the Ebrington distillery and its promised whiskey garden never opened to the public.