Donegal's Ardara Distillery has released a new whiskey, the Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey – a heavily
peated, triple distilled, all grain-in whiskey.
The new whiskey has been made with malted barley peated to 55 ppm, distilled with the grain-in,
and matured, sherry forward, in American Bourbon casks and Virgin oak, this Irish whiskey
brings to life a style unseen for over a century.
The new single malt is, says the company, the culmination of a dream held by founders James and Moira Doherty.
“For too long, Irish whiskey has drifted towards a conformity with the familiar – sweet, smooth and easy,” says James Doherty, co-founder of The Ardara Distillery.
“At Ardara, we’re answering a call that comes not from market trends, but from memory, from place, and
from family.
"A century ago, my grandfather was an illicit distiller in Donegal and, while he is no longer with us, I know he’d recognise what we’re doing here – grain-in, heavily peated, triple distilled, just as it was in his time. Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a spirit that could only have come from one place – Donegal.
"This isn’t about nostalgia, it’s about revival: reclaiming the rich, sweet smoky, textured soul of true Donegal whiskey."
Moira Doherty, co-founder of The Ardara Distillery, said: “Ardara’s mission has always been singular: to remain true to Donegal above all else.
"We know that our Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey is a deeply traditional style delivered in a process that today is seen as revolutionary.
"It doesn’t matter to us that no one else chooses to do it this way; it is true to Donegal, and that’s good enough for us!”
The 2025 edition comprises an initial 10,000 bottles worldwide; 2,000 at cask strength, available exclusively at The Ardara Distillery visitor centre, and 8,000 bottles at 46% ABV for select distribution in Ireland and the UK from August.
In September, it will be available on international markets from including Germany, France, the USA, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The 46% Ardara Single Malt Irish Whiskey will be available in select outlets and online from this month and costs €90.00.
