'We wanted to create a new farming future for generations to come'
A Co. Carlow farm is the maturation, blending, bottling and brand home for Flying Tumbler Irish Whiskey.
The Walsh family farm at Larch Grove, Ballytarsna, is run by Thomas senior, while the whiskey maturation enterprise on the land was founded by his sons, Thomas and Patrick.
Like the Flying Tumbler pigeon - which is known for its daredevil acrobatics and innate ability to always return home - the brothers were keen to bring it all back home.
Patrick came back from London where he practised as a solicitor while Thomas who is still based in Boston, flies home regularly, and is head of sales with Netwatch.
Securing funding through LEADER programme 2023–2027, co-funded by the EU, Flying Tumbler Irish Whiskey has begun work on repurposing a number of farm outbuildings into bonded maturation and blending warehouses, as well as a craft bottling line.
Thcoda Contractors expect that work on the site will be complete by September.
The project is expected to create 15 jobs in the local community, 10 in the initial construction phase, and a further five over the coming years.
Launched during Covid, the brand has gained a following in the US, particularly in Massachusetts where co-founder Thomas Walsh lives.
Thomas said: “For us, Flying Tumbler Irish Whiskey was always about returning home.
"The farm at Larch Grove has been in our family for four generations and we wanted to create a new farming future for generations to come.
"We are extremely grateful to the Carlow County Development Partnership and its programme for the help in realising our vision."
Trilogy
Meanwhile, the Flying Tumbler team has been busy bottling two new expressions to complete its core trilogy.
Launching in the coming months, 'The Roller', a non-age-stated single grain, and 'The Tippler', a blend of single pot still and single grain, will be available for export to key markets alongside 'The Bird,' a triple-distilled blend of single malt and single grain currently retailing in the US for $38.
“There was a lot of negativity around the industry in 2025 but we are already seeing the positive headwinds of 2026," Thomas explained.
"This year has started strong for us, on the back of a 92 point rating in Whiskey Advocate magazine, just one point shy of the top 20 whiskey releases of 2025.
"We are looking forward to the year ahead and expanding our reach across Europe and beyond.”
Annette Fox, CEO of Carlow County Development Partnership, commended the brothers' product, clear vision and strategic approach.
It is matched only, she said, by their passion, enthusiasm and commitment to both their legacy and their future development.
She added: "We are delighted that LEADER funding has enabled the Flying Tumbler to move forward on their journey locally, nationally and internationally.”
