| Country | ireland |
| Region | County Galway |
| Established | 2018 |
| Owner | Gareth and Michelle McAllister |
| Type | Irish Whiskey and Gin Distillery |
| Number of stills | |
| Visitor center | Yes |
| Status | Active |
| Phone | n/a |
Ahascragh Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery located in the village of Ahascragh, County Galway, Ireland. It was founded in 2018 and is currently owned and run by husband-and-wife team Gareth and Michelle McAllister. The distillery is housed in a restored nineteenth-century mill and is recognised as Ireland's first zero-energy-emissions "eco-distillery," powered by a combination of wind and on-site solar energy.
Ahascragh Distillery was founded by Gareth and Michelle McAllister, a Dublin couple who came across a derelict nineteenth-century mill in the village of Ahascragh, in the West of Ireland, and set about restoring it. Gareth, a chemical engineer with three decades of experience in the process industries, and Michelle, a trained psychologist and gin creator, invested around €12 million in reviving the site, creating roughly 30 direct jobs and supporting local supply chains. Sustainability was built into the project from the outset: the distillery draws around 70% of its energy from wind power sourced through Pinergy and 30% from on-site solar generation, and it uses high-temperature heat pumps — a first for Ireland and the UK — to reach process temperatures above 115°C without fossil fuels, saving an estimated 1,691 tonnes of CO2 a year. This approach earned Ahascragh the Innovative Renewable Energy Deployment award at the 2023 SEAI Energy Awards and the Distillery Sustainability Award at the 2023 Spirits Business Awards, along with membership of Bord Bia's Origin Green sustainability programme. The distillery runs production around the clock, five days a week, filling around thirteen casks of new-make spirit daily. While its own whiskey matures, Ahascragh has released whiskeys that its team sources, finishes, and blends, alongside a gin created by Michelle McAllister. The site also functions as a visitor destination, with distillery tours, the Clan Colla Restaurant, and the Old Mill Shop & Café.
Ahascragh's core range currently centres on whiskeys sourced, matured, finished, and blended by the distillery while its own spirit is laid down to age. UAIS Irish Whiskey (43% ABV) is a triple blend of 25% pot still, 25% single malt, and 50% grain whiskeys, with notes of pear, apple, honey, butterscotch, and vanilla toffee. The Clan Colla Irish Whiskey range revives a historic family name and spans several age statements, including a 7 Year Old single grain finished in Panamanian rum casks, plus 9, 11, 13, 19, and 20 Year Old (the last finished in Amarone casks) expressions. The distillery also produces XIN GIN, described by its creator as blending Irish botanicals with Asian-inspired flavours.
Ahascragh distillery is located at Ahascragh, County Galway, Ireland.
Ahascragh distillery was founded in 2018.
Ahascragh distillery is owned by Gareth and Michelle McAllister.
Ahascragh distillery is from County Galway, ireland.
Yes, Ahascragh distillery welcomes visitors.
You can buy Ahascragh whisky at Glenbotal.co.uk. We currently stock a selection with free UK delivery on orders over £99.
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About Glenbotal
The idea of Glenbotal came to us naturaly: as whisky lovers, we were always on the lookout for new experiences in the whisky world. That’s why we created Glenbotal and became our very own first customers. We buy unique and hard to find spirits from auctions, ballots, and private collections. Then, we share them with a small circle of friends and people who can appreciate a good dram.