The Friend at Hand is a unique whiskey off-licence combined with a mini museum charting the whiskey distilling history of Belfast. Browse and buy from the biggest collection of Irish Whiskeys available anywhere and get exclusive access to our own brand 13yr old whiskeys.
The Friend at Hand boasts a collection of 600 Irish Whiskeys but more than half of them are Never, Never, Never For Sale. Or are they.
The Friend at Hand boasts a collection of 600 Irish Whiskeys but more than half of them are Never, Never, Never For Sale. Or are they.
WHISKEY #1
To reconcile is to put aside our differences, to have enough courage to extend the hand of friendship or the strength of character to accept The Friend at Hand.
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WHISKEY #2
When you mature whiskey the angels take their share, but in memory of a generous Belfast boy we give back more than the angels ever took. So kindly raise a glass to Bruce and savour every drop.
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WHISKEY #3
When we take pride in who we are and reject the prejudice of others towards us, we show true strength of character and stake a claim for equality – for ourselves and for everyone.
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WHISKEY #4
What shall we give in return for so much? The indomitable spirit that shapes and drives us all.
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WHISKEY #5
Sooner or later, even the darkest of dogs have their day. It might take a while to get there, but remember this: you'll never win if you never play.
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WHISKEY #6
Armada rubies, lain dormant for years; A long lost haul, or so it was feared. Resurfaced once more, this North Coast treasure; Six of nine, for good measure.
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WHISKEY #7
Everyone makes mistakes. Some more so than others. If you haven’t made any, then you haven’t lived and that’s the real sin.
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WHISKEY #8
A battalion of black basalt - arm in arm, standing tall, Shoulder to shoulder. Battered, yet immovable. Interlocked. Impenetrable. Strong, like the cask this aged spirit came from. Volcanic in origin - and in character. Thirteen giants. This is our eighth.
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WHISKEY #9
Over the Big Bridge, lies such a fine view; Our cousins in the East, rain and winds that cut in two. Back from the peated land, the wee folk reside; Enjoy a dram from the Plateau, come see what’s inside. ‘Abhann Duinne’
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WHISKEY #10
The Ballroom of Romance was the last of its kinds. Dreams realised on its maple-sprung boards – some hopes dashed too. You don’t always know the true value of the moment, until it’s a memory. Be sure to tread softly.
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WHISKEY #11
FOR THE 16TH & 36TH Orange and Green, sides not known to yield; Foes at home, but not on this field. The terror of war, not one could foresee; Lived, fought and fell together, for the cause of the free.
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WHISKEY #12
The Beloved Disciple, one of twelve chosen, sipped from a gold goblet, so enticing this potion. But all is not what you think it might be, a wine laced with venom - now, you must see? So whatever it is you’re trying to gain, be careful what you covet, it could all be in vain.
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WHISKEY #13
So they had a taste of one to twelve, and now they’ve only gone and taken the whole lot. We know it’s the ones with the heavenly halos - they did leave their calling card at least. But is this the Journey’s End? Well, you should know better than to predict the future by now…
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WHISKEY #13
Shoulder to shoulder, comes the roar of the call; The spirited and quiet standing together, standing tall. Home soil or afar, be it Spoon, Crown or Slam; A pint of plain is your only man. Whatever the result, A FRIEND IS AT HAND; My God is your God, my land is your land.
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WHISKEY #EXCLUSIVE POWERS
Complex. Curious. Brave. Much like Belfast itself, this special Powers single cask release is a meeting of minds and strong characters. One of a kind. Never to be recreated. A true Friend at Hand.
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WHISKEY #EXCLUSIVE REDBREST
If patience is a virtue then Belfast is the most virtuous city around. We are well practiced at waiting. Waiting for peace. For the rain to stop. For the perfect whiskey to mature. For the Rugby World Cup to find its home in Ireland. For Belfast to be named European Capital of Culture 2023. This Readbreast All Sherry Single Cask has been matured for 25 years and has been hand selected by Master Blender, Billy Leighton in collaboration with Willie Jack from The Friend at Hand. The Long Wait is in honour or our city’s long waiting game and in the single-minded belief that Ireland will bring the 2023 Rugby World Cup to Irish soil, securing a truly momentous moment in Irish sporting history. And that Belfast will be recognised as the cultural epicentre of Europe. If we are wrong, it will become The Even Longer Wait and Willie’s young apprentice Paul O’Hare will be ready to raise a special toast. Either way, we will be ready (and waiting), when our times comes. And the whiskey will be just as good. One of a kind. Complex. Rich. Vibrant. Bold. This exceptional whiskey is the ultimate exemplar of the old adage ‘the best things come to those who wait’.
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WHISKEY #EXCLUSIVE MIDDLETON
Matured in a first fill bourbon barrel.
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MashDown Brewery
3 Half Bap Pours & Two pint glasses. Red Ale, Belle Lager & Session IPA.
Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand
MashDown Brewery
3 Half Bap Pours & Two pint glasses. Red Ale, Belle Lager & Session IPA.
Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand
MashDown Brewery
Two Belfast Porters, Glass & Beermats
Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand
AVAILABLE MON–SAT
MINIMUM 6 PEOPLE
Contact us on (0)28 9032 9969 or email friendathand@dukeofyorkbelfast.com to arrange a private tasting for six or more people.
Give us your email address and we’ll make sure your plans for the week are sorted, every week. No rubbish advertising and no giving your details out to every Tom, Dick or Harry. Promise.
Give us your email address and we’ll make sure your plans for the week are sorted, every week. No rubbish advertising and no giving your details out to every Tom, Dick or Harry. Promise.
Friendathand@dukeofyorkbelfast.com