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The Ardara
Distillery in Donegal secures two major
International Spirits Awards, it was
recognised at the San Francisco World
Spirits Competition and the Tokyo Whisky
& Spirits Competition.
The Ardara Distillery in County Donegal
has earned two significant international
honours at two of the world’s most
respected spirits competitions, further
cementing its reputation as one of
Ireland’s most distinctive whiskey
producers. The awards represent a major
milestone for Sliabh Liag Distillers,
the company behind The Ardara
Distillery, and highlight growing
international recognition for its unique
approach to Irish whiskey production.
Founded by James and Moira Doherty, The
Ardara Distillery produces heavily
peated, triple-distilled, all-grain-in
whiskey — a traditional style that had
virtually disappeared from Ireland for
more than a century. Drawing inspiration
from Donegal’s rich illicit distilling
history, the distillery is dedicated to
reviving and celebrating the county’s
distinctive whiskey-making heritage.
At the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits
Competition, The Ardara Distillery was
named Best Irish Craft Distillery, while
its Ardara Single Malt Cask Strength
expression was awarded a Double Gold
Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits
Competition. Widely regarded as one of
the most influential and rigorous
spirits competitions globally, the San
Francisco awards are considered a
benchmark of excellence across the
international drinks industry.
James Doherty, Co-Founder, The Ardara
Distillery said: "San Francisco is
arguably the toughest room in the world
of spirits to be judged in. To come away
with a Double Gold medal for our first
Ardara single malt release is powerful,
and a strong signal that grain-in,
heavily peated Irish whiskey has a
serious place on the international
stage. We make whiskey the way it was
made in Donegal a century ago. It’s not
a style everyone expected the market to
embrace, but awards like this tell us
otherwise."
Adding to this, Moira Doherty,
Co-Founder, Ardara Distillery said: "Ardara’s
mission has always been singular: to
remain true to Donegal above all else.
It is wonderful to see that recognised
in Japan, a market that takes its
whiskey seriously. To be named Best
Irish Craft Distillery there, making the
kind of whiskey we make, means the world
is genuinely ready for what Donegal has
to offer. We’re incredibly grateful to
everyone who has supported us on this
journey, our dedicated team, our local
community, our partners, and all those
who have chosen to share and enjoy our
spirits. Awards like this are never
achieved alone, and we see it as
encouragement to continue striving for
excellence while staying true to where
we come from."
Located on the Show Field in Ardara
town, the distillery's striking
glass-fronted facility houses three
copper pot stills crafted by Forsyths of
Scotland. Together they produce a
whiskey defined by its bold character —
smoky, textured and unmistakably
representative of its Donegal origins.
The Ardara Distillery remains the only
distillery on the island of Ireland
dedicated to producing peated whiskey
using the traditional all-grain-in
method. This rare production approach
pays homage to historic Donegal
distilling practices while maximising
flavour and character from the malt,
creating a style that is both deeply
rooted in heritage and distinctive
within the modern Irish whiskey
landscape.
You will find the current
Ardara whisky range available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
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