Oldest pub's new spirit: Sean's Bar unveils its own whiskey

A new whiskey is now on sale in Sean's Bar - one which bears the name and branding of the landmark Athlone pub itself.

Bottled by West Cork Distillers, the limited edition spirit is the first of a range of whiskies which are to be produced under the label of 'Sean's Bar: Ireland's Oldest Pub'. 

The whiskey range is one of a number of developments currently being explored at Sean's, according to General Manager Declan Delaney. Others include adding a gift shop here, and opening a branch of Sean's Bar in the United States.

Declan met with the Westmeath Independent on Thursday last, exactly a week after the pub received its first delivery of Sean's Bar whiskey.

Photos of the attractively-designed bottles had been shared on facebook and he said the response from the public since then had been amazing.

"We’ve been inundated… we must have had 150 emails and facebook messages from people saying they want a bottle.

"The response has been unbelievably positive. If someone comes in to Sean's for a whiskey now, the staff are going to encourage them to try it."

* To read the full interview with Declan, about the whiskey range and future plans for Sean's, see this week's Westmeath Independent