THE ARDARA DISTILLERY

RECLAIMING THE DISTILLING HERITAGE OF DONEGAL

A craft rooted in legacy

Rooted in the wild Atlantic soul of Donegal, Ardara Distillery was founded from a desire to revive a bold, smoky style of Irish whiskey long forgotten by time.

Guided by childhood memories and a proud family legacy, James and Moira Doherty returned to Ardara to reawaken its distilling tradition, unapologetically rich, peated, and true to its origins.

Set on the banks of the Owentocker River, the striking distillery produces more than whiskey, crafting smoky spirits, maritime gin, and a delicate vodka infused with local botanicals. Visit, taste, and discover the true Spirit of Donegal.

Top Experiences

Non-Tasting Tour

Come inside and explore the true spirit of Donegal, a journey from timeless tradition to exceptional craft.

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Tasting Tour

Savour the bold, smoky character of Donegal spirits in a guided tasting that brings peated whiskeys and gin to life.

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Group Booking

Planning a group visit? Whether with friends, family, or colleagues, enjoy a tailored experience steeped in flavour and heritage.

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Heavily Peated Whiskey

Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey

A whiskey of unapologetic character, born from Donegal’s smoky soul and bold tradition. Ardara embodies the craft of triple distillation, rich in peat and spirit, made the old way with a future in mind.

€ 90,00

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Blended Irish Whiskey

An Dúlamán Gin

A collection of exceptionally soft whiskeys, journey back through smoky Irish whiskey. The Silkies’ give an insight into the style Donegal distillers were once famed for, and which we are now reviving.

€ 49,00

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Blended Irish Whiskey

Frank Carr's Irish Poitín

Frank Carr created a coveted bright spirit, he followed his intuition to smoked malt, sweet molasses and oats to create his poitín.

€ 35,00

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Pot still vodka

The Misty Assaranca

A vodka of remarkable purity, inspired by Donegal’s wild beauty and dancing falls. Assaranca captures the soft elegance of delicate botanicals, distilled with precision and rooted in a land rich with lore.

€ 35,00

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Made with local barley and peated to 55ppm, Ardara is triple distilled using the all grain in method. Every drop carries the legacy of Donegal’s distillers, bold, honest and unmistakably from the edge.

An ode to the Donegal whiskeys of days gone by, Dark Silkie is a rich smoky blend loaded with character. Non chill-filtered and bottled at 46%, the whiskey is incredibly smooth with a stunning natural sweetness.

Like his reputation the poitín would make its way from the lough above Meenacanon across ditch and stream, through hedgerows and handshakes to celebrate life. Today we carry on his way, unfiltered.

Distilled near the falls, Assaranca is infused with the aromas of gorse and the tang of rowan berries. Each bottle bears its date of birth, a nod to Moira’s craft, expressive and deeply Donegal.

Blog Posts

November 21 2025

Press Office

The Ardara Distillery Launches Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey

This August marks a historic moment in the revival of Irish whiskey as The Ardara Distillery, home of Sliabh Liag Distillers, proudly unveils Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey – a heavily peated, triple distilled, all grain-in whiskey that signals a bold revival of Donegal’s lost distilling tradition.

Uncover the beauty beyond the glass

After your tour and tasting, there’s still so much to explore. From towering cliffs and hidden beaches to waterfalls and ancient ruins, Ardara is surrounded by natural wonders and cultural gems, all within a short drive from the distillery. Here’s what not to miss.