Old Carrick Mill Distillery have teamed up with legendary Dundalk man Steve Staunton to launch a very special whiskey

To mark the 30th anniversary of USA ‘94, Old Carrick Mill Distillery have teamed up with the legendary former Ireland captain and Dundalk man Steve Staunton to launch a very special whiskey.

Steve Staunton attended three world cups and grew from talented young player to Captain and lynchpin across the course of a 16 year international career and is known the world over for one of the most cultured left foots to have played the game.

Old Carrick Mill is an award-winning gin and whiskey distillery which is in its tenth year of business.

Based in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, it has returned the spirits industry to the area.

Operating out of a reclaimed former flour mill, which also has a deep connection to Barton & Guestier wine, who were the original owners of the mill before emigrating to Bordeaux, France.

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As well as creating their own bespoke brands such as our Old Carrick Mill and May-Lóag core products, they also collaborate regularly with international supermarket chains. 

The Legends whiskey has been carefully blended by Old Carrick Mill’s owner and master distiller Steven Murphy and Steve Staunton.

This high malt blend is re-casked in an Appleton Estate rum cask. With notes opening on a classic Irish whiskey style, full bodied thanks to the American bourbon barrels and then bursts with tropical notes for a lasting finish thanks to the premium rum cask. Bottled in a 70cl, numbered bottle. 

Staunton told of how he enrolled his three uncles over in the west of Ireland, who are experienced Potin drinkers, to help him make the final call on his choice of blend. And thus, a legendary whiskey was born. 

To mark the collaboration, Old Carrick Mill held a special event at their distillery on 1st June 2024. Guests who attended filled one of the first 500 bottles of the release.

They experienced the whiskey distilling process of filling, corking and sealing their own bottle before meeting the man himself for an autograph on the finished product and commemorative photos.

These first 500 bottles are presented in a gift box along with specially designed trading cards.

Following the event, was the general release of the remaining 1500 bottles.

There are an incredibly limited number of the personally signed and boxed bottles and the general release bottles still available on our website and a number of specialty whiskey stores across Ireland. 

"The whole day was filled with nostalgia, with guests bringing their own memorabilia from their personal collections, including flags, jerseys, posters and various USA ‘94 merchandise, prompting many anecdotes from Staunton and guests about that era", a spokesperson said.

"We here at Old Carrick Mill displayed our very own collection of USA ‘94 memorabilia, from postage stamps, Kellogg’s pop cards, call cards, jerseys, flags, posters, and much more."

Also created for the launch was a bespoke Legends jersey, inspired by the original 1994 Ireland kit. A limited number are still available to purchase via the Old Carrick Mill website www.oldcarrickmill.com 

The day reached a crescendo with a Q&A with Staunton himself, recounting some incredible stories from the time and answering questions from the audience. Truly a one of a kind experience was had by one and all in attendance.

Old Carrick Mill's owner Steven Murphy said: “Once the opportunity arose to create this with a local hero like Steve, it was one we were very excited about. He grew up 20 minutes away in Dundalk and was part of a team that showcased we could compete on the international stage, a path we like to continue ourselves today.”

Steve Staunton said: “At the time, we were very much in the bubble of playing, so never really got the opportunity to look back at those times, events like this remind us of the impact sport can have on the community.”

To purchase Old Carrick Mill Legends- the Steve Staunton edition, the specially designed jersey or any of our products go to www.oldcarrickmill.ie