Merchants' Quay BLUE LABEL Blended Irish Whiskey
Our unique blend of three whiskeys – grain whiskey, double distilled and triple distilled malts – aged in four different casks, delivering a complex nose and smooth taste. As our original whiskey, it anchors our collection and is perfect for sipping neat, with water, or as part of your favourite whiskey cocktail.
Celebrating the historic quay at Donaghadee harbour, where ships have been launched, casks have been landed and glasses raised for generations.
40% ABV
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Mini Distillery Collection
- Traditional Irish Gin
- Rhuberry Gin
- Smugglers' Reserve Rum
- Irish Vodka
- Merchants' Quay Irish Whiskey
- Merchants' Quay Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Mini Hero Collection
Ulster Rugby Bundle
Introducing the Ulster Rugby Bundle! Buy a bottle of Ulster Rugby gin and a bottle of Ulster Rugby blended Irish whiskey and save £5.
- Ulster Rugby Irish Gin 42% ABV
- Ulster Rugby Blended Irish Whiskey 42% ABV
Hero Bundle
Introducing the Copeland Hero Bundle! Discover the coastal spirit through our hero products including:
- Our award-winning, Traditional Irish Gin 45% ABV
- Smugglers' Reserve Rum 40% ABV
- Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey 40% ABV
BGS x Copeland Distillery Bundle (Gin and Whiskey)
BGS x Copeland Distillery Whiskey
WHISKEY
This limited-edition collaboration celebrates the shared heritage, community, and tradition of Bangor Grammar School and its Grammarians around the world. Each bottle supports the Grammarians Heritage Fund, helping to preserve and digitise our archives, safeguard historic records, and ensure that future generations can discover the story of Bangor Grammar School.
More than a whiskey — this is a tribute to the friendships, memories, and traditions that continue long after school days are over. Floreat Bangoria Presale - Shipping after 18/05/2026frequently asked questions
what is the history of whiskey?
Whiskey has had a rich history, believed to have been first distilled in Medieval Ireland and Scotland. Although there is evidence that Irish Whiskey was distilled as early as the 12th century, with Monks bringing back ethanol-based perfumes from Southern Europe. This wouldn’t have tasted like the whiskey we have now, as it was more aromatic, and not aged.
What makes Irish Whiskey unique?
Irish whiskey, or Uisce beatha (‘water of life), is often seen by drinkers as a smoother, more accessible whiskey than Scotch whisky (spelt without an ‘e’) with a variety of flavour profiles driven by the use of a more diverse range of casks for aging and finishing.
Whilst a number of Irish whiskey distilleries, including Copeland, produce a peated whiskey, Irish whiskeys tend to be non-peated and use a variety of grains including single grain, single malt, Chocolate Malt or rye for distillation. Mainly distilled in pot stills (as opposed to column stills), Irish whiskey can be triple or double distilled, which is the case for all of Copeland’s 5-year-old Single Malts and Pot Still whiskeys.
And most importantly, Irish whiskey must be distilled in Ireland (Republic or Northern Ireland) and matured in wooden casks for at least 3 years.
What types of Irish Whiskey are there?
Single malt Irish whiskey
A Single Malt whiskey is made from 100% malted barley within one (single) distillery.
Single pot still whiskey
Being made from a mixture of malted and un-malted barley ( a minimum of 30% of each) or other cereals, single pot still whiskey is distilled in one distillery. The main difference between Pot Still and single malt Irish whiskey is the use of raw and un-malted grain. This gives the whiskey spicy and fruity flavour notes and an oily, creamier mouth feel, and is more delicate than Single Malt.
Grain whiskey
Using a variety of grains including corn or wheat, grain whiskey is usually produced in a column still (as oppose to a pot still) and tends to be a lighter, sweeter and more approachable whiskey. Flavour wise, expect vanilla or caramel notes - almost bourbon-like in taste. Grain whiskey is usually made for use with blended whiskeys, but there are some whiskeys on the market that are purely distilled from grain in one distillery (i.e. Single Grain).
Blended whiskey
By taking a mixture of the various kinds of Irish whiskey, blended whiskey uses grain, single malt (either double or triple distilled) or single pot still whiskey. Blended whiskey is the most common type of Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky in circulation as it is easier to mass produce and tends to be lower in price for consumers.
What makes Merchants' Quay Blended Irish Whiskey unique?
Copeland’s Merchants’ Quay range offers whiskey lovers three different blended whiskeys, each with a distinct flavour profile.
Using different whiskey’s – grain, double distilled malt and triple distilled malt – and unique combinations of cask aging and finishing, means the Merchants’ Quay Irish whiskey range offers something for everyone.
Merchants’ Quay Green label (launching March 2026) uses malt and grain whiskey, finished in Banyuls dessert wine casks and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for a light, fruity easy drinking whiskey.
Merchants’ Quay Blue label is a blend of three different whiskeys – grain, double distilled malt and triple distilled malt – aged in four different casks for a rich, complex whiskey full of flavour.
And Merchants’ Quay 5-year-old Single Grain whiskey has been aged for five years in American bourbon casks and finished in Muscatel wine casks and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks to create a bright, sweet whiskey with honey, floral and gentle sherry flavours. Winner of the Best Single Grain Irish whiskey under 12-years-old at the 2025 World Whiskies awards, this is a whiskey you really must try!
