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Ancient oak which fell in storm to live on as casks for revived whiskey brand

The 1,000 year old tree will be used to make barrels that will age and produce Preston’s brand of single pot still Irish Whiskey.

Ian Leonard, of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel, with Peter Cooney, of Boann Distillery, and Mark Quick, of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel, on Swainstown Farm in Co. Meath. Picture: Brian Connolly

A 1,000-year-old Irish oak tree toppled by a storm is set to be resurrected in the form of whiskey casks.

The ancient giant, with a 10-metre girth, stood tall on the grounds of Swainstown Farm in Kilmessan, Co Meath, until powerful Storm Elin brought it crashing to earth last year.

In a unique project between Meath’s Boann Distillery and the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel cooperage in Kildare, the oak will be transformed into barrels that will ...