Marlfield Distillery

The distillery was established in 1817 by a business consortium which included members of the Steins, a noted family of distillers from Scotland. The firm traded as “John Stein & Co.”, named for the principal of the firm, though operations at the distillery were overseen by John’s brother Andrew.^[3] Others likely to have had a stake in the firm, though not necessarily when it was founded, include John Brown, John Murray, and Richard Sparrow.^[6][7][8]

The distillery was located in an old mill which the firm had converted for distilling purposes.^[5] In 1818, it is recorded as producing 8,268 proof gallons per week using a 500 gallon pot still.^[9][10] By 1826, output had risen to 396,599 gallons per annum.^[11]

In 1834, the partnership was dissolved, with John Murray, one of the partners assuming control of the company, which subsequently traded under “John Murray & Co.”^[12][13]

In 1836, Marlfield Whiskey is recorded as selling in Clonmel Market for about 7 shillings a gallon.^[14]

By 1838, the distillery then thriving, though output figures are not available, is known to have employed 150 people and consumed nearly 90,000 barrels of malt barley per annum.^[15]

In 1846, during the height of the Great Famine, the Distillery is noted to have sold Indian Corn Meal to its labourers at 14 pence a stone, at a time when others were selling it to the public at 2 shillings (24 pence) a stone.^[16]

In 1850, the distillery was taken over by members of the famous Jameson distilling dynasty from Dublin.^[3][15] Henry Jameson, the son of John Jameson founder of Jameson Irish Whiskey,^[17] who resided in Marlfield for some time,^[18] and is mentioned in several newspaper articles in connection with the distillery at the time likely took charge of the distillery at that point.^[4] However, the business appears to have continued to trade under the name of “John Murray & Co.”

In August 1856, it was announced that the distillery was to be dismantled, the materials sold, and the buildings put up for lease.^[19][4] The plant and equipment, which included pumps, two pot stills, a Coffey still, vats, 15 draft horses, and Berkshire breeding sows, were advertised for sale by private contract in August 1856.^[2] A separate newspaper advert from the time listed the buildings for lease, with corn stores and paper milling being given as suggested uses for the buildings.^[4] The distillery’s fire engine was purchased by the local Corporation of Clonmel.^[20][21]

Marlfield Whiskey continued to be sold locally for a number of years after the distillery closed, while the remaining stocks of whiskey were wound down.^[22][23]

• Irish Whiskey