Lockes 8 year old is one of the three different single malts from Cooley's. Whereas once upon a time pot still whiskey (a whiskey made from malted and unmalted barley) was the dominant and most popular whiskey in Ireland, and indeed further afield, it is now single malts that have become more available.

Locke's Single Malt was the pioneer brand for Cooley as it was the first brand launched in 1992 but it wasn't until 2000 that Cooley launched its first aged whiskey, Locke's 8 Year Old Single Malt. Its unique quality and flavour was rewarded when it won a Gold medal in the 2001 International Wine and Spirits Competition. Maturation of Locke's Irish Whiskey takes place in the 200 year old warehouses in Kilbeggan.

The Locke's Irish Whiskey brand originates from Locke's Distillery in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath which is situated along the banks of the river Brusna in the heart of Ireland. Locke's Distillery has the distinction of being the oldest licensed distillery in the world dating back to 1757. This was a small rural distillery that prospered in the 19th century by successfully exporting its whiskey to the UK, US, Argentina, Australia and other UK colonies.

The change in the economic climate eventually forced Locke's to cease operations in 1953 and sell off its assets. This loss in distilling history was ultimately Cooley Distillery's gain when it bought over Locke's Distillery and its remaining assets in the late 1980's.