Some places you visit once, and others you find yourself going back to with different people. Micil Distillery in Salthill has become one of those places for me.
I first visited two years ago, brought friends from America along last year, and during the week I returned with my good friend Sinéad from Mini Media. Three visits, three different occasions, and this time I thought it was time to give it a proper spot here on the blog.
Before I go any further, a thank-you: Micil kindly sponsored the cocktail reception at my Practical & Precious launch. I really appreciated their support, and I’m delighted to share a little more about the people and the family story behind the bottles.
From Connemara to Salthill
You’ll find Micil Distillery at the Oslo Bar on Upper Salthill Road. It’s a working distillery with a visitor experience, so you can see the equipment up close as well as hear the story behind the spirits. (discoverireland.ie)
And there is quite a story.
Micil takes its name from Micil Mac Chearra, who began making illicit poitín on a Connemara hillside in 1848. The family has passed its distilling knowledge down through six generations, bringing that tradition into the business you can visit today. (micildistillery.com)
Head distiller Jimín Ó Griallais is a sixth-generation Connemara poitín maker. That family connection is an important part of the Micil story, and something worth knowing when you sit down to taste what they make. (gleg.ie, thespiritsbusiness.com)
Gin, Whiskey and Poitín
On this visit, we got to taste the gin, whiskey and poitín. Having the different spirits in front of you gives you an opportunity to compare them, rather than simply choosing the bottle you would normally reach for.
The photographs give you a little look at our visit, from the working distillery to the glasses lined up on the tasting table. Of course, having Sinéad there meant we had plenty of photographs to remember it by too!
This was also my second time bringing company along, having visited with friends from America last year. If you’re putting together an itinerary for visitors to Galway, it’s an experience you could consider, particularly if they’re interested in Irish spirits and the stories behind them.
My Favourite: Micil Irish Cream
We tasted a few different things, but my all-time favourite is still Micil Irish Cream.
There’s a lovely family connection here too. Micil says its Irish Cream is made to their grandmother’s original family recipe, blending Irish whiskey, Irish cream and Connemara poitín. The poitín is a particularly fitting addition when you know the family’s history. (micildistillery.com)
So, while I enjoyed the opportunity to try the range, there was no change at the top of my own favourites list!
Planning a Visit
If you’d like to find out more, you can explore the different experiences and check current availability through Micil’s website.
Thank you again to the Micil team for supporting my launch and for welcoming us during the week.
Three visits in, and the Irish Cream still has my vote.
Orla Cusack