From Lough Gill to Hawk’s Rock: Sazerac Renames Irish Distillery

(Photos: Sazerac)

Sazerac announced Thursday that it has rebranded its Irish whiskey distillery in County Sligo as Hawk’s Rock Distillery, replacing the former Lough Gill name nearly two years after acquiring the site.

The move signals a fresh chapter for the global spirits company’s presence in Ireland. The 100-acre distillery, which includes the historic Hazelwood House, sits near the Ox Mountains — home to the Hawk’s Rock outcrop that inspired the new name. The landmark also appears in At the Hawk’s Well, a play by W.B. Yeats, who had strong ties to the region.

Hawk’s Rock Distillery.

Sazerac says the name change reflects its long-term commitment to Irish whiskey and the cultural roots of Sligo. Since acquiring the distillery in 2022, the company has expanded its warehouse space, modernized operations and laid groundwork for future growth.

Helen Mulholland, one of Irish whiskey’s most recognized names, will lead blending and production. She’s the first woman to be named master blender in the Irish whiskey industry and chairs the Irish Whiskey Association. Mulholland is overseeing development of new whiskey brands, with the first set to debut in June 2025.

While the distillery remains closed to visitors during renovations, Sazerac has received planning approval for a future visitor experience. The company says this is part of a broader strategy to make Hawk’s Rock a destination for whiskey tourism and innovation.

An aerial view of Hawk’s Rock.

Sazerac operates several other distilleries around the world, including Buffalo Trace in Kentucky and Paul John in India. Hawk’s Rock is its first major Irish whiskey facility.