By the Irish Section

Join us for a CIBD-member exclusive event at the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel in Ireland! Attend to gain an understanding of the Cooperage business, making of barrels and the full process involved.

Schedule

• 10:30/10:45 - Arrival at KBB Cooperage 
• 10:45 Health & Safety talk 
• 11:00 Tour of facility (depend on numbers – 1 or 2 tours)
• 13:00 Light Lunch provided 
• 14:00 Leave facility 

Notes

• Parking is available on site but please carpool where possible. If you are struggling to attend due to lack of transport please contact Irish section treasurer, David Elder david.elder@cibd.org.uk 
• Please bring your own Hi-vis and safety shoes.
• Please note that the event is for age 18+ only. 
• If disability access required, please let us know in advance by emailing david.elder@cibd.org.uk 

Speaker

• Mark Quick, Managing Sales Director at Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ireland (KBBI)

Mark has spent over a decade in the spirits industry involved in financing, marketing and management of a distillery startup, spirits importation company and cooperage operations.

Mark opened Kilbeggan Cooperage with Master Cooper, John Neilly, in 2014 who trained Darren & Ian Leonard as apprentices, before passing away in 2018, having served 50 unbroken years as a Cooper.

Mark setup Nephin Cooperage (which later became Dair Nua) and established Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ireland (KBBI) as part of Independent Stave Company in 2021, with Ian Leonard as Head Cooper.

Independent Stave Company is the largest supplier of casks globally and KBB Ireland have become a trusted, scalable supply partner to the Irish Whiskey industry.

Mark is Managing Sales Director at KBBI and works closely with partner distilleries in Ireland, Scotland and elsewhere providing barrels for the worlds finest spirits. His role can include assisting with optimising maturation strategies, developing new products and conducting joint research with partner distilleries.

Why you should attend:

• Introduction to barrel making, technology and process involved
• Understanding of wood impact with flavours in distilled or matured whiskey
• Insight into the casks services through KBB in Ireland  

Tickets: 40 spaces maximum - register early to avoid disappointment!

• Free for CIBD members

Booking deadline: 3rd November 2025 at 4pm