The Friend at Hand. Irish Whiskey Shop. Hill Street Belfast.

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 Finest Collection of Irish Whiskey

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.

THE FRIEND AT HAND’S OWN 13YO IRISH WHISKEY SERIES

Friend At Hand Belfast reconciliation Whiskey

WHISKEY #1

RECONCILIATION

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #2

BRUCE’S SHARE

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

Friend At Hand Belfast Bruces Share Whiskey
Friend At Hand Belfast pride not prejudice Whiskey

WHISKEY #3

PRIDE NOT PREJUDICE

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #4

PRO TANTO QUID RETRIBUAMUS

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

What shall we give in return for so much? The indomitable spirit that shapes and drives us all.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

Friend At Hand Belfast protanto quid retribuamus Whiskey
The Dark Horse Half Bap Whiskey

WHISKEY #5

THE DARK HORSE - HALF BAP

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #6

GIRONA GOLD & The Missing Rubies

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

Girona Gold Whiskey
Seven Deadly Sins Whiskey

WHISKEY #7

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #8

EIGHTH WONDER

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

Eighth Wonder Irish Whiskey
9 glens irish whiskey

WHISKEY #9

NINE GLENS

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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’

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #10

THE ORPHEUS

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #11

FIGHTING IRISH

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #12

POISONED CHALICE

  • 13 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #13

ANGEL'S STEAL

  • 2021 Years
  • TIME IMMEMORIAL

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…

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #EXCLUSIVE POWERS

The Friend at hand

  • 14 Years
  • SINGLE MALT

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.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

Powers Whiskey Friend at hand exclusive
Redbrest Whiskey Friend at hand exclusive

WHISKEY #EXCLUSIVE REDBREST

THE LONG WAIT

  • 25 Years
  • SINGLE POT STILL

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’.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

WHISKEY #EXCLUSIVE MIDDLETON

1999

  • 20 Years
  • SINGLE CASK

Matured in a first fill bourbon barrel.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

Middleton Whiskey Friend at hand exclusive

NOT WHISKEY, STILL NICE

MashDown Brewery

BELFAST HALF BAP POURS

  • Years

3 Half Bap Pours & Two pint glasses. Red Ale, Belle Lager & Session IPA.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

MashDown Brewery

BELFAST HALF BAP POURS

  • Years

3 Half Bap Pours & Two pint glasses. Red Ale, Belle Lager & Session IPA.

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

MashDown Brewery

BELFAST HALF'UN

  • Years

Two Belfast Porters, Glass & Beermats

Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand

IMAGES OF THE FRIEND AT HAND HILL STREET, BELFAST

Private Tastings at The Friend at Hand

AN EXPERIENCE NOT TO BE MISSED

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.

Find out what’s going on at Friend at Hand by email

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.

Find out what’s going on at Friend at Hand by email

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.

How to find us

  • The Friend At Hand
  • 35-43 Hill St, Belfast BT1 2PB

T: 028 9032 9969

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