Today, the same passion for flavour and authenticity is guiding a new chapter in Irish spirits.
At Ardara Distillery, the approach begins with respect for grain and fire. Instead of the mash tun, all grains go directly into the wash, preserving character and texture that might otherwise be lost. It’s a nod to older, less commercial methods, revived for a modern audience seeking depth and individuality.
The stills themselves — copper giants forged by Forsyth’s — stand at the heart of the process. Here, careful cuts define the spirit’s balance: too wide, and the whiskey becomes soft; too narrow, and it grows sharp. The result is a profile where smoke from Donegal’s turf intertwines with natural sweetness, creating something unmistakably local.
Distillation here is more than process, it’s the voice of Donegal carried in every drop.
