In Northern Ireland, a new experience, the Spirits Trail and Distillery Passport, invites visitors to discover the variety, quality and unique character of Northern Irish spirits.

The Spirit Trail and Distillery Passport presents a guide to 14 unique experiences offered by distilleries across Northern Ireland. It gives you the chance to meet the passionate artisans behind each brand and sample a variety of spirits to discover your new favorite.

On each excursion, visitors have the opportunity to get a passport and get it stamped, and after getting all 14 stamps they will be given a special gift. The curious can also scan the QR code displayed at the duty free store at Belfast International Airport to receive a digital passport and route information so they are prepared when they arrive in Northern Ireland.

In Belfast, visitors can find three different distilleries, including the Belfast Artisan Gin School, which offers a two-hour “make your own gin” experience. They can also combine these visits with an exploration of the historic Crumlin Road Jail, home to McConnell's distillery. Finally, a visit to the unmissable Titanic Belfast Museum can be followed by a visit to the Titanic Distillers, located in the heart of the shipyard where the Titanic and many other ships were built.

Near Belfast are Hinch Distilleries and Rademon Estate, home of Shortcross Gin. Both offer fascinating behind-the-scenes tours of their state-of-the-art equipment.

When traveling to the Ards Peninsula, a trip to Copeland Distillery is a must to sample craft whiskey, gin and rum while hearing tales of smugglers and seafaring exploits. Down the peninsula is Ecklinville, the family-run distillery that produces the award-winning Dunville's Irish Whiskey.

Within the Morne Mountains is the route's smallest distillery, Killowen, where visitors can sample a range of craft brews. Finally, Two Stacks Whiskey presents the history of blending and fining in Ireland and offers the opportunity to blend whiskey in a hands-on experience.

On the beautiful Fermanagh Lakes, Boatyard Distillery focuses on producing pure spirits through a sustainable and organic approach. In County Tyrone, Wild Atlantic Distillery draws inspiration from Ireland's rugged coastline, while Woodlab Distillery blends science and nature with its range of award-winning Symphonia gins.

Finally, no visit to Northern Ireland would be complete without a walk along the beautiful Causeway Coast Way. This legendary road is home to one of the world's most famous brands, Bushmills, a 400-year-old whiskey distillery. In Derry~Londonderry, Walled City Brewery, known for tasting six excellent craft beers, recently launched its new spirit, Earhart Gin, which can be enjoyed on brewery tours.

www.irlande-tourisme.fr