Limavady Single Malt was revived by Darryl McNally, a former Bushmills distiller. McNally claims familial ties to the original distillery, positioning the current brand as a return to lost heritage. While no physical Limavady Distillery exists yet, plans have been submitted for a new distillery near Magilligan, at the foot of the scenic Binevenagh mountain. This new chapter in Limavady’s story aims to restore its place in Irish whiskey lore while nodding to its storied past.
Limavady, a small town in Northern Ireland, carries a rich history tied to the Irish whiskey tradition. The town’s name, derived from the Irish “Léim a' Mhadaidh” or "leap of the dog," alludes to a local legend involving the O'Cahan clan. Historically, the town developed under Sir Thomas Phillips, who also played a key role in the early whiskey trade, being granted a licence to distil in 1608.
This history forms the backdrop for the modern Limavady whiskey, which honours these roots on its label, drawing on the town’s deep connections to the region’s distilling past. Limavady’s original distillery dates back to 1750, though its exact location remains debated, with potential sites near the River Roe and Station Road.
Alfred Barnard visited the original distillery in 1886 and declared Limavady whiskey, “a lovely whisky, almost passable as Scotch”...