First Distiller in Belfast for almost 90 years - Titanic Distillers.

We’d like to introduce you all to our new Head Distiller, Damien Rafferty.

Damien will be the first whiskey distiller in Belfast since prohibition, a title with a heap of weight and responsibility, but one he is more than ready to take on.

Damien will be responsible for integral tasks such as sourcing our Whiskey’s raw materials, and managing its brewing process, fermentation, distillation, casking, and maturation amongst a range of other key functions in the role.

Talking about the role, Damien said” “Belfast is historically a Whiskey distilling city, prohibition was the death knell for the industry, but now Irish Whiskey is the fastest growing drinks category in the world.

“We have the privilege of being the 1st Whiskey distillery in Belfast since prohibition, and here in this distillery we seek to blend the traditions and craftsmanship of the past with the best of modern science, technology and skill to produce a Whiskey with pride.”

A proud son of a farmer, Damien grew up surrounded by an environment that would later shape his passion for production and growth. He began as a civil engineer, studying here in Belfast, before traveling abroad to pursue a career in engineering which took him to Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada.?

However, his interest in brewing was always there and he discovered this abroad, meeting a mix of maltsters, brewers and distillers, affording him the opportunity to learn their craft - which lead Damien to make a career change and follow his passion into brewing back in Ireland; it was here that he established Ireland’s only floor maltings, supplying craft malt to local breweries and distilleries.

He then utilised his brewing skills and malting experience to become a distiller of Whiskey, implementing his passion for distilling ever since.?From early beginnings of growing grain, to producing malt, to brewing and distilling, Damien is truly a grain-to-glass distiller.

Talking of the project at hand for Titanic Distillers, Damien said: “The Pumphouse and Thompson dock are truly historical sites. We have the opportunity to showcase old Belfast and marry that with the new Belfast.

Our Distillery is right on the dockside and the influence of the maritime environment will make for some interesting spirits being produced here for a long time to come, I personally can’t wait for it to begin!"