Boatyard Distillery

What Boatyard Distillery does

Boatyard Distillery is a farm-to-bottle organic craft spirits producer founded in 2016 by Joe McGirr in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, operating as the first legal distillery in County Fermanagh since 1890. Its core range centres on Boatyard Double Gin (46% ABV), produced using a proprietary double-contact distillation method adapted from the 'dubbel gebeide genever' tradition, alongside vodka, Old Tom Gin, Sloe Boat Gin, seasonal Winter and Summer Solstice gins, a recently launched ready-to-drink line, and adjacent products including chocolate and marmalade sold through its subsidiary, The Proper Chocolate Company. The company holds B Corp certification (score 92.1, the first Irish distillery to certify) and organic certification, and is family-run with siblings Teresa, Brian and Marie McGirr involved in operations.

The business monetises through a multi-channel model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce with eco-refill pouches, on-site distillery tours priced between £49.50 and £125 per person, on-site retail, and wholesale through hospitality partnerships such as Hawksmoor Dublin and BAR 1661, supplemented by tourism partnerships with Erne Tours, Tully Bay Holiday Homes, Marble Arch Caves, Rory's Travel Club and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. Forward growth is being driven by the appointment of a US Market Manager (Michael Smoley), the hiring of Declan McGurk (ex-Savoy Hotel) as Managing Director, RTD product expansion and a multi-language (English, French, German, Spanish) DTC platform, all supported by a cumulative ~$915k in disclosed funding from Co-FundNI / Whiterock Finance (2018) and Co-Fund II / HBAN (2020).

Name

Boatyard Distillery

Legal name

The Boatyard Distillery

Website

https://boatyarddistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Boatyard Distillery is a family-run, farm-to-bottle organic craft spirits producer in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, selling Double Gin, vodka, Old Tom Gin, RTDs and adjacent products via DTC e-commerce, distillery tours, on-site retail, and hospitality and tourism partnerships across the UK, Ireland and the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG)

Keywords

• Craft gin production
• Organic distillery spirits
• Distillery tourism experiences
• Field-to-bottle vodka
• Premium spirits manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Enniskillen

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Spirit Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of gin and vodka products through the company's e-commerce platform and on-site shop. Products include Double Gin, Vodka, Old Tom Gin, Sloe Boat Gin, Winter Solstice Gin, and limited editions available in various bottle sizes (70cl, 20cl, 5cl).
2. Distillery Tours and Experiences: Revenue from Taste & Tour Experiences (£55 per person standard, £49.50 with promotional offer), private tours, corporate events, and gift vouchers. Tours include gin reception, behind-the-scenes access, tastings, cocktails, and personalized bottle labeling.
3. Merchandise and Edibles: Sale of branded merchandise (tote bags, Christmas jumpers, bottle jumpers, bar blades, hi-ball glasses) and edible products (chocolate, marmalade, jelly) made from spent botanicals and local ingredients.
4. Partnership Packages: Revenue from bundled experiences with partners including Hidden Heartlands Spirits Cruise (£98 per person), Timeless Tastes combo tickets (£68.50 per person), and Boatyard Getaway packages (£125 per person including accommodation).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Boatyard Distillery is a farm-to-bottle, certified-organic craft distillery producing premium gin and vodka using traditional methods on the banks of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The company also operates award-winning distillery tours, tasting experiences, and packaged tourism partnerships that drive a meaningful share of revenue alongside direct spirit sales through its e-commerce storefront and on-site gift shop.

Product overview

Boatyard Distillery is an Irish craft spirits producer located on the banks of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, operating since 2016 as the first legal distillery in the region since 1890. The core product portfolio centers on five main spirits: Boatyard Double Gin (46% ABV, the flagship organic gin using a double-contact distillation method), Boatyard Vodka (41% ABV, organic field-to-bottle spirit), Old Tom Gin (sherry cask-aged style), Sloe Boat Gin (29.8% ABV, wild berry-infused), and Winter Solstice Gin (limited edition seasonal release). The company also produces ready-to-drink cocktails (Martinis, Negroni), collaborates on special releases (Hawksmoor Gin, Boatyard X 1661 Gin, Summer Solstice Gin), and extends into edibles including bean-to-bar chocolate and artisan preserves made from spent botanicals. Sustainability-focused offerings include eco-refill pouches and gift sets with reusable planters. The distillery operates visitor experiences including award-winning Taste & Tour experiences and gift vouchers, positioning itself as both a product manufacturer and tourism destination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Proper Chocolate Company: Bean-to-bar chocolate company founded by Boatyard Distillery, using spent gin botanicals combined with ethically sourced Tanzanian cocoa to produce chocolate bars.

Products and services

• Boatyard Double Gin A smooth, organic juniper-led dry gin at 46% ABV distilled using the proprietary double contact method, where juniper rests in wheat spirit with botanicals at the start and the final spirit flows through juniper again in the vapour chamber. Organically produced, available in 70cl, 20cl, and 5cl formats.
• Boatyard Vodka Field-to-bottle organic vodka made entirely on-site in the distillery with a creamy smooth character featuring notes of black pepper, banana, orange zest, beeswax and sweet vanilla finish. Irish wheat is traced back to specific farmers and fields.
• Old Tom Gin A sweeter, rounder gin style than London Dry, distilled in the copper pot still 'Érainn' and rested in first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Notes of candied and dried fruit, fig, raisin and a silky toffee-orange finish. Available in 70cl and 5cl.
• Sloe Boat Gin Gin steeped for six months with wild-harvested sloe berries (420g per bottle) and finished with wild Fermanagh honeysuckle syrup for balanced natural sweetness. Notes of plum, cassis, almond and berry fruitiness at 29.8% ABV in 70cl format.
• Winter Solstice Gin Limited edition winter gin distilled with deconstructed Christmas puddings releasing natural flavours of candied orange, raisin, clove, nutmeg, ginger and star anise, finished with French Sauternes dessert wine. 41% ABV in 70cl format.
• Summer Solstice Gin Limited edition gin celebrating the Summer Solstice, with juniper and apple notes intertwined with hedgerow flavours through a collaboration with Killahora Rare Apple Ice Wine. Available in 70cl format.
• V-52 Light Vodka Premium vodka at 26% ABV using a production process that incorporates oats into the mash to retain viscosity, body and flavour profile at reduced alcohol content.
• Boatyard Dry Martini Ready-to-serve batched cocktail made with Boatyard Double Gin and Schofield's Dry Vermouth at a 5:1 ratio. 32.8% ABV in 50cl format, designed to be poured straight from the freezer.
• Boatyard Wet Martini Ready-to-serve batched cocktail made with Boatyard Double Gin and Cocchi Dry Vermouth at a 2:1 ratio. 29.1% ABV in 50cl format, designed to be poured straight from the freezer.
• Boatyard Negroni Ready-to-serve batched cocktail made with Boatyard Double Gin, intended to be served straight from the fridge over ice. 25.7% ABV in 50cl format.
• Bean-To-Bar Chocolate Chocolate bar made from spent gin botanicals combined with ethically sourced Tanzanian cocoa, produced by The Proper Chocolate Company. 80g, 68% cocoa, using organic cocoa beans, unrefined raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, and Boatyard gin spent botanicals.
• Breakfast Martini Marmalade Citrus-forward marmalade made in small batches with eco-friendly ingredients, suitable for toast or cocktails. 240g jar.
• Sloe Boat Artisan Jelly Rich jelly of sloes, apples and blackcurrants with a hint of gin, made in small batches with minimal waste. 240g jar, suitable for cheeses, roast meats or warm scones.
• Hawksmoor Gin Collaboration gin celebrating the opening of Hawksmoor Dublin, with a smoother botanical mix emphasising delicacy and softness with juniper, gorse and apricot. 43% ABV, designed for Hawksmoor's Ultimate Martini style.
• Boatyard X 1661 Gin Collaboration gin with BAR 1661 pairing Boatyard's juniper-forward core with tropical and herbaceous notes, formulated for highballs and signature cocktails at the bar. 46% ABV in 70cl.
• Double Gin Eco Refill Pouch Eco-friendly refill pouch containing 280cl of Double Gin (equivalent to four 70cl bottles), designed to reduce single-use glass and carbon emissions.
• Vodka Eco Refill Pouch Eco-friendly refill pouch containing 280cl of vodka (equivalent to four 70cl bottles), designed to reduce single-use glass and carbon emissions.
• Boatyard Double Gin and Planter Gift Set Gift set combining a 70cl Boatyard Double Gin bottle with a reusable planter made from waste sugar cane pulp, allowing the recipient to grow their own herbs.
• Boatyard Tasting Collection Collection of three 5cl miniatures: Boatyard Double Gin (46%), Old Tom Gin (41%), and Vodka (41%). Designed for tasting or gifting.
• Distillery Tours & Experiences Award-winning Taste & Tour experience including a gin and tonic reception, history and heritage tour, behind-the-scenes production access, guided spirit tastings, cocktails, and personalised 70cl bottle labelling. Priced at £55 per person and voted in TripAdvisor's Top 10% of Things to Do in the World for five consecutive years.
• Gift Vouchers 12-month voucher redeemable against the standard distillery tour, including the 90-minute experience with gin and tonic reception, neat tastings, two cocktails, behind-the-scenes access and personalised 70cl bottle.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rory's Travel ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 February 2026Tour promotion partnership offering exclusive discounts to club members: 20% off midweek tours (Wed-Fri) and 15% off weekend tours. Valid from 4th February until 30th April 2026.
• Erne TourscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 202650th anniversary partnership celebrating both Erne Tours' 50 years and Boatyard's 10 years. Offers The Hidden Heartlands Spirits Cruise combining 90-minute lake cruise aboard The Kestrel with full distillery experience, including gin tasting, cocktails, and personalized bottle. Limited to 40 guests per sailing at £98 per person.
• Tully Bay Holiday HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Boatyard Getaway package offers premium two-night lakeside escape with panoramic views, private jetty, complimentary kayaking and paddleboarding, combined with distillery Taste & Tour experience. Located within Tully Bay Holiday village grounds for seamless access.
• Marble Arch CavescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTimeless Tastes partnership combining underground cave exploration with distillery experience. Combo ticket at £68.50 per person includes cave tour (60-75 minutes), 90-minute distillery tour, and personalized 70cl Double Gin bottle.
• Ireland's Hidden HeartlandscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism initiative celebrating Ireland's scenic lakes, rivers, and rural landscapes. Fermanagh's inclusion highlights the area's natural beauty and creates opportunities for tourism growth. Boatyard offers 10% discount on Taste & Tour with promo code.
• Hawksmoor DublinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial Hawksmoor Gin collaboration celebrating Dublin restaurant opening. Uses botanical mix emphasizing delicacy and softness with trademark juniper alongside lighter botanicals such as gorse and apricot. Designed for Hawksmoor Ultimate Martini style.
• BAR 1661minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration cocktail menu championing Irish producers. Boatyard X 1661 Gin features Boatyard's juniper-forward core complemented by tropical and herbaceous notes, perfect for highballs and signature cocktails. BAR 1661 ethos of collaboration and community aligns with Boatyard values.
• The Proper Chocolate CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Boatyard to utilize spent gin botanicals that still carry significant flavour. One of few bean-to-bar chocolate producers in the region, combining organic waste with ethically sourced Tanzanian cocoa into 68% dark chocolate bars.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Glendalough Distillery: Irish craft distillery producing premium gin, whiskey and vodka with a strong DTC and distillery tour business. Closest direct comparable in Irish craft spirits with tourism-led GTM.
• The Shed Distillery (Drumshanbo / Gunpowder Gin): Irish craft distillery famous for Gunpowder Gin, with an on-site visitor experience and DTC focus. Comparable in farm-to-bottle storytelling, premium positioning, and Irish craft gin positioning.
• Echlinville Distillery: Northern Ireland craft distillery producing gin, whiskey and poitín from estate-grown ingredients. Direct geographic peer in Northern Ireland with similar farm-to-bottle and tourism positioning.
• Killowen Distillery: Northern Ireland craft distillery producing gin, whiskey and poitín with a strong field-to-glass and on-site experience ethos. Comparable in small-batch craft production and Northern Ireland location.
• Copeland Craft Distillery: Northern Ireland craft distillery producing gin and whiskey under the Copeland and Jawbox brands. Comparable in NI heritage, premium gin focus, and on-trade brand-building.
• Rademon Estate Distillery: Northern Ireland craft distillery producing Shortcross Gin and whiskey from the Rademon estate. Direct NI craft gin peer with similar botanical-led, on-site positioning.
• West Cork Distillers: Independent Irish distillery producing gin, vodka, whiskey and poitín. Comparable in Irish craft spirits scale and multi-SKU portfolio, though larger and more distribution-led.
• Teeling Whiskey Distillery: Dublin-based Irish craft distillery with a strong visitor experience and award-winning whiskey and gin portfolio. Comparable in Irish craft spirits branding, tourism-led GTM, and DTC emphasis.
• Sipsmith Distillery: London craft gin distillery with a pioneering distillery tour and tour-led brand-building model. Comparable in craft gin heritage, premium positioning, and tour-as-marketing ethos.

Broad incumbents

• Hendrick's Gin: Global premium gin brand under William Grant & Sons, known for distinctive botanical profile and quirky brand storytelling. Comparable as a benchmark for premium-craft gin brand-building at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BoatyardDistill
• Facebookfacebook.com/theboatyarddistillery
• Instagraminstagram.com/boatyarddistillery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-boatyard-distillery

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Boatyard Distillery