Raise a Glass to 250 Years: McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky Anchors St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Sip History This St. Patrick’s Day with McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky, Born in Belfast in 1776

NEW YORK (March 12, 2026) — This St. Patrick’s Day, as Americans gather in homes, bars, and restaurants to celebrate Irish heritage, McConnell’s Irish Whisky invites them to raise a glass to a brand whose story is intertwined with America’s own.

Founded in Belfast in 1776, the same year the United States declared independence, McConnell’s represents 250 years of shared Irish and American history. At a time when more than 30 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, the brand offers a meaningful way to celebrate the holiday with authenticity, provenance, and modern versatility.

Revived in Belfast, McConnell’s bridges centuries of craftsmanship with contemporary American drinking culture, particularly fitting for a holiday that blends heritage with high-energy celebration.

“This time of year reminds us how deeply Irish heritage is woven into American culture,” says Jon Dubin, Vice President of Marketing at Conecuh Brands. “With origins dating to 1776, McConnell’s stands as a symbol of shared history—Irish craftsmanship shaped by American influence. It’s a story that feels especially relevant on St. Patrick’s Day.”

A Heritage Irish Whisky with American Influence

McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky (84 Proof / $36.99 MSRP) is aged five years in hand-selected, first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, a deliberate nod to America’s native spirit. The cask influence imparts creamy vanilla sweetness, light char, and gentle oak structure while preserving the smooth, fruit-forward character expected of Irish whisky.

The McConnell’s portfolio also includes a Sherry Cask Finish and a 20-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whisky, with a Cognac Cask Finish scheduled for release in the U.S. in the coming months.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Light citrus, peppered spice, vanilla undertones
• Palate: Stone fruits, butterscotch sweetness from bourbon casks, white pepper, balanced oak woodiness
• Finish: Sweet spice, toasted oak, lingering ripe fruit

The Belfast Connection: Whiskey & Ginger

Belfast was once a powerhouse of Irish whisky production, and also the birthplace of ginger ale. That shared origin comes together in an easy, crowd-pleasing serve that resonates with both home hosts and bartenders.

McConnell’s & Ginger Ale

• 2 oz McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky
• 4 oz premium ginger ale
• Orange wedge or peel
• Ice

Build over ice, gently stir, garnish with orange.

A Distillery Rooted in History

Today, McConnell’s calls the historic Crumlin Road Gaol home, a 19th-century landmark brought to life as a working distillery and immersive visitor experience, reconnecting the brand with the city where it was first established nearly 250 years ago.

You can find McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky in stores nationwide or online. For more information, visit mcconnellsirishwhisky.com/us/.

About McConnell’s Irish Whisky

McConnell’s Irish Whisky is one of the oldest names in Irish whiskey, with a heritage dating back to 1776 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Revived in recent years, the brand combines 250 years of history with a modern approach to Irish whiskey making. Crafted from carefully selected aged Irish whiskies and finished in exceptional casks, McConnell’s delivers a smooth, balanced character with notes of vanilla, spice, and toasted oak. Today, McConnell’s continues its legacy from Belfast with the opening of its new distillery and visitor experience at Crumlin Road Gaol, honoring the brand’s rich past while building the future of Irish whiskey.

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