The city's first operational whisky distillery in over 90 years is now possible thanks to an £8 million refurbishment at the former Thompson Dock and Pumphouse location in Titanic Quarter.

A single malt whisky derived from a mixture of malted barley and yeast will be produced in the distillery by Titanic Distillers, which has been given its licence and is now pouring.

Damien Rafferty, the site's head distiller, suggested whisky produced there may become a new export for Northern Ireland.

“In many ways, though, the job is only beginning as we start producing a whisky that the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland can be proud of, and one that will represent us well all over the world,” he added.

“In April of this year, we opened our doors to travellers so they could tour the distillery and the spot where Titanic last stood on dry land.”

“But to finally begin production on site is an incredible feeling and a huge milestone, not just for us but for the city of Belfast.”

The distillery and tourist attraction are now both fully operational, marking the conclusion of a lot of time, effort, and investment put into this great endeavour so far.

Director of Titanic Distillers Peter Lavery said that the new distiller will help Belfast resurrect a long-forgotten custom.

Although it has been a long five years, he added, “We are thrilled to get our licence and to start producing our own spirits on site.”

“Since there hasn't been a functional distillery in our city since the 1930s, whisky has played a significant role in its history. As a Belfast native, it means a lot to me to continue this great distilling legacy and assist Belfast to regain its position as the leading Irish whisky-producing city.”

“Once, we led the way globally, not just in shipbuilding but across many areas of industry, manufacturing and innovation.”

“We plan to do so once more now that our Titanic Distillers Premium Irish Whisky is produced on this most historic of locations.”

The Olympic and Titanic, two enormous White Star transatlantic ships, were serviced and housed in the Thompson Dry Dock when it first opened in 1911.

In the neighbouring Pumphouse, all of the original pump machinery and related internal historic elements have been preserved and may be seen as part of the connected tours.

The concept, according to Stephen Symington, a director at Titanic Distillers, was about the history of the city as well as the possibilities of Irish whisky in the future.

From the early seedlings through the planning stage to the loving restoration of one of our city's most historic and famous buildings, he added, “This has been a real labour of love for all involved over a period of more than five years.”

“In order to produce a distinctive product and tourist experience, entrenched in Belfast's industrial and maritime heritage and inspired by the people who worked in Belfast's shipyard more than a century ago, it has always been our desire to embrace the history of the location of our distillery.”

“However, outside of the site’s massive tourism appeal and historic significance, it is important to recognise that, from this moment forward, we are now a working distillery in which we will be producing our own products to build on our success to date and make the most of the growing global demand for Irish whiskey.”

Walking distance from Titanic Belfast, the largest Titanic exhibition complex in the world and the most popular tourist destination in Northern Ireland, which saw more than 800,000 people annually before the Covid-19 outbreak, lies Titanic Distillers at Thompson Dock.