Ardara Distillery

About Ardara

Ardara Distillery is a modern Irish distillery located in County Donegal, known for reviving the local tradition of pot still whiskey. The distillery works exclusively with home-grown barley from its own fields and produces both single malt and single pot still with a lightly smoky style that has historically characterised the area. Because Ardara is a small, ambitious distillery controlling the entire process from grain to bottle, it has quickly gained attention for its quality and strong regional character - an interesting newcomer for anyone following the new wave of Irish distilleries.

History & Background

Ardara Distillery opened in 2022 in the small town of Ardara in County Donegal, an area with a long but partly forgotten tradition of pot still whiskey. The distillery was created to revive this local heritage, and from the start the owners chose to base production on barley grown on their own fields rather than bought-in grain, giving full control over the raw material. It's one of the many new Irish distilleries that have sprung up as Irish whiskey has enjoyed an international renaissance since the 2010s, but Ardara's focus on local barley and a lightly smoky style sets it apart from many of the other newcomers.

Production & Style

The whisky is distilled and matured following classic methods, giving it a spicy, characterful profile.

Signature Style

Spicy, Characterful, Round
The whisky offers a spicy, characterful profile with a round finish.

Facts

Did you know?

By Scottish law, Scotch Whisky must be matured for at least three years in oak casks in Scotland before it can be called Scotch at all.

Like Ardara? You should also try:

GlenAllachie, Kilchoman and Stauning.