In the first part of our interview with Michael Poulson, we discover his humble beginnings with whiskey and then follow his path along his whiskey journey. From a pivotal moment where one fateful sip brought back a core memory of his father. We all know that when whiskey turns from enjoyment into exploration, the rabbit hole goes quite deep. In the present, Michael has secured pieces of rescued furniture from old bars to make a speakeasy in his own basement. Out on the road with the band Volbeat, Michael has been present for many memorable moments with whiskey. But one in particular looms large. This crowning achievement is sharing whiskey with the legend Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead.
It is undeniable that all roads between whiskey and metal/rock pass through the life and times of Lemmy.
If you missed part one of our conversation with Michael, you can go here to read it.
The Great Northern Distillery
In Dundalk, Ireland, a stately red‑brick building on St. Dominicks Place bears the proud lettering “GREAT NORTHERN DISTILLERY.” Step past the ornate wrought‑iron gate and you enter a bustling complex of buildings that form the operational heart of the distillery. The grounds once housed the old Harp brewery, but in 2015 the site was reborn as a distilling powerhouse. By 2018, their first whiskey (three years and one day old, as Irish tradition insists) had matured and marked the beginning of a new era.
Great Northern has since become a quiet giant in the industry, specializing in private‑label production, contract distilling, and collaborative partnerships. That expertise made them the perfect partner to help bring Volbeat Spirits into the world. The project was originally championed by Brian Watts, the former Master Distiller and General Manager, whose vision helped set everything in motion. After Watts’ passing in 2022, Brian Mongan, Head of Commercial Operations, stepped in to carry the torch and ensure the dream became reality.
Volbeat Spirits
Much like Michael Poulsen himself, Volbeat Spirits has risen from humble beginnings to a place of real presence. He remembers falling in love with Irish whiskey early on and dreaming of creating a bottle that carried the same character. He joked, “I wanted to make sure people didn’t think Tullamore Dew was the only Irish whiskey you could get in Denmark.” Beneath the humor was a clear intention. He wanted an approachable spirit that reflected the flavors he personally admired.
When Volbeat prepared for a tour through Ireland, Michael decided to turn that dream into motion. A few meetings with local distilleries were arranged. At first, the plan was to start with rum and build from there. Michael has always been a whiskey guy, but rum felt like a simpler first step. It was Great Northern Distillery that took the meeting seriously and saw the potential in a true partnership.
After the tour wrapped, samples began arriving, each one shaped around the tasting notes and qualities he had described. Batch after batch, they refined the profile until everything finally clicked into place. He laughs about how rum was easier to dial in, then cuts himself off. “Let’s not talk about rum, let’s talk about whiskey. Just when I thought I had the flavor right, I would revisit the samples and find something missing.” He is proud to admit he can happily nerd out on whiskey.
Looking back on the process, Michael compares it to making music. He said, “How did Black Sabbath write the songs they did? Why can I not write songs like that? It’s because they are Black Sabbath. It’s the same thing with whiskey. It didn’t make sense for me to try to replicate Green Spot, because that experience already exists. The people who make that are supposed to make it. You must always remember that when you do something, it must represent you.”
Today, the Volbeat Spirits lineup includes Outlaw Gentlemen 12‑year Irish Whiskey, Outlaw Gentlemen Whiskey, Seal the Deal Rum, Volbeat No. III Rum, and the Volbeat Rum Limited Edition. The bottles are now available in fourteen countries across Europe. When asked about expanding distribution, he said, “We’re still working to get the whiskey out to as many places as possible. It’s not easy, but I believe we can get there.” And for those of us waiting on the other side of the Atlantic, hope remains strong that the United States will be next.
The Mashbill: Whiskey Network Wants to Know Your Recipe
Wrapping things up, it is our tradition at the Whiskey Network to ask our guests the same final five questions. The answers are always insightful!
What was the last whiskey, bourbon, or Scotch in your glass?
It was a Benriach The Smoky Twelve that I cracked open with some friends at home last week.
Do you prefer to drink your whiskey from a specific type of glass?
I prefer a glencairn. It is one I feel most connected to.
Do you have a unicorn bottle?
Redbreast 27. Kally Sauerland, the boxing promoter, sent me a picture of it and said it would be something I’d like. It’s one of the few Redbreast bottles not in my collection. Every time I am on tour in Ireland, I am looking for that bottle!
I am looking to buy a gift for a friend. My budget is around $50-$70 (US), what bottle would you recommend I buy?
I’ll go with Green Spot, because you can’t go wrong with it.
Do you have a favorite toast?
When I have a few friends over and I’m behind the bar speaking to them about the whiskey they are tasting, it is a special moment for me to toast and appreciate the moment. In Danish, we just celebrate with a simple “skål”.
We are proud to welcome Michael Poulsen to the Whiskey Network Family!
As the front man of Volbeat, Michael has spent decades carving his name into the bedrock of modern rock and metal, a relentless force whose voice and vision have carried across continents. Yet behind the riffs and the road miles stands a genuine whiskey devotee, someone who knows his palate with the same precision he knows a melody. He shares drams with friends the way some people share songs, opening doors to new flavors and new stories one glass at a time.
With the rise of Volbeat Spirits, Michael is offering the world a taste of his own creative fingerprint. What began as a personal passion has grown into a brand with real momentum, a line of spirits that reflects his character, his curiosity, and his commitment to craft. Europe has already embraced it, and the hope burns bright that North America will be next.
As 2026 unfolds, both Volbeat and Volbeat Spirits are poised for new chapters and new announcements. Support the band as they continue to take God of Angels Trust across the world, filling rooms with the sound only they can summon.
If you find yourself in the right place at the right time, raise a glass of Outlaw Gentlemen and toast to the music, the whiskey, and to Michael Poulsen, the man who continues to pour his heart into both.
