This May 20th, toast World Bee Day with a sip of something truly Irish - and truly sustainable.
The tiny pollinators are behind two distinctive spirits - Silks Irish Dry Gin and The Whistler Irish Honey Whiskey which are handcrafted in the heart of the Boyne Valley.
Distilled and produced by the Cooney family at Boann Distillery, where nature, craftsmanship, and sustainability go hand in hand.
The Cooneys rely on millions of bees to pollinate their expansive apple orchards and Marie Cooney - family matriarch and head beekeeper - has nurtured a flourishing bee population that not only supports the orchards but is now an essential ingredient in the family’s award-winning spirits.
Silks Irish Dry Gin (€36.95, 70cl) is distilled by hand in small batches in a 500-litre custom copper “Bennett” pot still. It features 14 carefully selected botanicals, including apple blossom, elderflower, hawthorn blossom, and raw honey - all foraged from the Cooney family orchards. After a 24-hour maceration, the botanicals are vapour-infused to preserve their subtle complexity. The result is a gin that’s elegant, floral, and deeply rooted in its terroir.
- Nose: Bright citrus and sweet florals with hints of pine.
- Palate: Smooth and rich with layers of orange peel, apple blossom, and a juniper backbone.
- Finish: Long, with orchard honey delivering a rounded, balanced sweetness.
The Whistler Irish Honey Whiskey (€36.95, 70cl) is a harmonious blend of natural ingredients and expert distilling. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and sherry casks, this whiskey is infused with honey from the Cooney’s own hives — the same bees that pollinate their orchards.
- Nose: Creamy honeycomb, caramel, and candied almonds with a whiskey warmth.
- Palate: Vanilla and soft spice give way to a lingering finish of honey and toasted almonds
“The bees are more than just part of our ecosystem — they’re part of our family story,” says Marie Cooney. “Every bottle of Silks Gin and Whistler Honey Whiskey is a toast to the bees who make it possible.”
Both drinks are available to purchase online on boanndistillery.ie.
Silks Irish Gin also comes as a gift set that includes a 70cl bottle of Silks Gin, two branded glasses, and a jigger, all for just €49.95.
