McConnell’s Irish Whisky is celebrating another major milestone after securing four more international whisky awards, further cementing the brand’s reputation and putting Belfast back on the world Whisky Map.
The Belfast-born whisky brand has taken home four more international whisky awards at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition, including Gold for its McConnell’s 5-Year-Old Sherry Cask Finish and Superior Gold for its McConnell’s 20-Year-Old Single Malt. This comes after the McConnell’s 20-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whisky was named ‘Best Irish Whisky Single Cask’ at the recent World Whiskies Awards.
McConnell’s Irish Whisky has now won more than 55 international whisky awards in the last five years alone, with recognition at major global competitions such as the World Spirits Competition, the San Francisco Spirits Competition and of course the Irish Whisky Awards. As World Whisky Day, 16th May, is celebrated across the globe, this momentum underlines Belfast’s growing status as a modern-day whisky-making centre of excellence.
The awards come during a landmark year for the Irish Whisky brand, as 2026 also marks the 250th anniversary of McConnell’s Irish Whisky – a brand born in Belfast in 1776, revived in 2020 and which is now available in more than 40 markets worldwide.
John Kelly, CEO of McConnell’s Irish Whisky, said:
“Achieving this level of international recognition is a huge milestone for everyone involved at McConnell’s Irish Whisky.
Our ambition has always been to revive Belfast’s whisky legacy while creating a modern premium Irish whisky brand with global appeal. To date we have won more than 55 international awards including major recognition at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition which is a testament to the quality of the whisky being produced here in Belfast and to the passion of our entire team.
As we celebrate 250 years of the McConnell’s brand in 2026, we’re excited about what lies ahead as we continue to grow internationally while welcoming more people through the doors of the distillery here in Belfast.”
This month also marks the second anniversary of McConnell’s Distillery opening its doors at Crumlin Road Gaol, as the brand continues its rapid growth both locally and internationally. Once a former Victorian prison, the site has been transformed into a state-of-the-art Distillery and Visitor Attraction, with the McConnell’s Irish Whisky brand home now welcoming over 40,000 visitors since its opening.