This Guitar Is Built from Old Whiskey Casks

Music and whiskey have gone together for as long as the two have existed, and for the Irish, Lowden and Bushmills have made a significant impact on each, respectively. George Lowden has been building guitars in Ireland since 1974 and Bushmills has been distilling for about ten times as long and a teamup was almost inevitable. Using barrel wood from the Bushmills whiskey casks, Ancient Bog Oak, and reclaimed redwood, Lowden is crafting a guitar to honor the legacies of both the distillery and his contribution to Irish guitar making. The barrel wood makes up the back inlay, soundbox bevel, bindings, rosette, head facings, and 12th fret inlay, while bog oak is used for the back and sides and reclaimed redwood for the soundboard. These are beautiful guitars that are built to be played and mark Lowden’s passing on of his skills, just as the Kane family does with coopering for Bushmills.