In 1608, a licence was granted to Sir Thomas Phillips by King James VI and I to distill whiskey.

[1] for the next seven years, within the countie of Colrane, otherwise called O Cahanes countrey, or within the territorie called Rowte, in Co. Antrim, by himselfe or his servauntes, to make, drawe, and distil such and soe great quantities of aquavite, usquabagh and aqua composita, as he or his assignes shall thinke fitt; and the same to sell, vent, and dispose of to any persons, yeeldinge yerelie the somme 13s 4d...1613 - Sir Thomas Phillips, who was granted by King James I the first licence to distil whiskey in Ireland in 1608, founded newtown Limavady.

1750 – Irish whiskey distillery was established in Limavady by John Alexander in 1750 on his family lands.

1864 - The brewing and malting firm James Galloway & Co acquired the business from the Cather family.

1913 – Young, King & Co become part of the Distillers Finance Corporation (DFC), a primarily a Scotch whisky company.