SLIABH LIAG DISTILLERS

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Blog - Sliabh Liag Distillers

This journey started a long time ago but the dream only became a reality when we finally moved back to Donegal in 2014. So far we have one distillery off the ground and The Silkie Irish Whiskey and An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin are now being consumed on four continents. We have started building our new whiskey distillery and we have designed the whiskeys that we will make. The following charts our milestones and musings along the way.

November 2014

Adventure

That’s where we are now, off to work on a dream some years in the making. I would like to thank all of you for the challenge...

December 2014

Serendipity

It feels good to be “home” and if you believe in serendipity then try this on for size. Moira and I moved the family to our "home" in Ireland...

February 15

Rhythm

I have always needed a cause, to make a difference and make things better than when I found them. For much of my career I have managed to find that...

JUNE 2015

Joining Forces

Eventful week this one, had a meeting with Udárás down in Ballymoon, that yielded a networking opportunity...

November 2015

Charity

It is quite astonishing how much money local charities can generate. This small rural community in what the government would no doubt class as a “disadvantaged” area generates more than €20,000...

January 2016

Planning

Well the New Year has started with a splish splosh, we seem to have had more rain this year than in the last ten tears and there has been plenty of flooding in the midlands and my heart goes out to the poor souls in Athlone...

January 2016

Part A – Information

We were working on the launch of The Silkie this week which has filled every waking moment to get everything done. It’s exciting, nerve racking and game changing for us so we will be giving it our all, just hope we have enough whiskey...

JANUARY 2016

Part B – The Silkie

That’s was some night, lessons to be learned for sure but great night...

JANUARY 2016

THE LEGENDARY SILKIE IRISH WHISKEY

Visit The Silkie brand page here.

April 2016

Submission

Excited and relieved that the plans have been submitted. Cornerstone have done us proud and the building looks beautiful. It is amazing...

JUNE 2016

Released

Well she is free to beguile now. The first Silkie’s have been released onto the Irish market and we are being very clear that this is a blend of whiskies and an independent bottling...

July 2016

Bittersweet

A weekend of very mixed emotions.

We were delighted that Donegal County Council issued their decision to GRANT planning permission for the Sliabh Liag Distillery...

September 2016

Déjà vu

Well that was a palaver. An Taisce appealed Donegal County Councils planning grant as we all expected they would. A desire to preserve the area in aspic is laudable but doing so in a way that weakens the community cant be right...

JANUARY 2017

GRANT OF PLANNING PERMISSION

Elated, the end to an extraordinarily difficult period...

JUNE 2017

Dom and John

Dom and John...

August 17

From Lola to Méabh

Perhaps a better heading for this one would be from Lola to Meabh – a most unexpected journey...

August 2017

Taste of Donegal

OMG what a day. Dougy (Hibernian bars) who made the bar showed me a sketch weeks ago and said don’t worry James & Moira, I’ll build you a beautiful bar you just have to trust me...

OCTOBER 2017

An Dúlamán

We said from the beginning that we would always launch locally first and that’s just what we have done...

OCTOBER 2017

AN DÚLAMÁN IRISH MARITIME GIN

Go to the An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin brand page

February 2018

Getting Out There

A fewer more distribution bridgeheads being forged...

May 2018

Hong Kong

Thoughts at the Big Buddha...

JUNE 2018

GIN WITH A TASTE OF THE WILD ATLANTIC TO LAUNCH IN UK

The multi award-winning An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin, the first to be produced in remote County Donegal, is available to UK...

July 2018

Momentum

Moments matter. I remember hearing Brian Noble the renowned rugby league coach talking about an individual being accountable and delivering "in the moment" and how this has a galvanising effect on the team that yields another moment and another and with each subsequent moment you start to recognise momentum.

September 2018

Wholehearted

It’s been a roller coaster of a summer that has culminated with us making the difficult but correct decision to depart Carrick and relocated the whole operation to Ardara, the pretty market town of festivals just a 18 minutes away.

APRIL 2019

Planning Submitted for Ardara

And breathe . . .
It has been an exciting few days finalizing the designs for the new distillery in Ardara...

JUNE 2019

Father’s Day with The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey and Selfridges & Co.

In the run up to Father’s Day on Sunday, June 16th, Selfridges & Co have teamed up with The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey...

AUGUST 2019

Santa Ana

Go to the Santa Ana brand page

AUGUST 2019

Ireland’s First Navy Strength Gin…

An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin Reveals ‘Santa Ana’ – their cask-aged Armada Strength Gin.

SEPTEMBER 2019

Assaranca Vodka

Go to the Assaranca Vodka brand page

SEPTEMBER 2019

Assaranca Vodka – The Spirit of the Donegal Hills

Sliabh Liag Distillers reveal new premium vodka.

SEPTEMBER 2019

The Tease

It has been a strange day of excitement, butterflys and being secretive. We’ve been setting up at Taste of Donegal which is always fun and you can feel the excitement build as you set up the stand and catch up with the great and the good of the Donegal food and drink scene...

OCTOBER 2019

The Big Bluff

We secured planning in July 2015, then won our appeal to An Bord Pleanala in January 2016 and thought we could quickly move on with the distillery build. We did not imagine that the narrow self-interest that was holding us and the parish community of Glencolmcille to ransom would elect to litigate...

OCTOBER 2019

Smooth Silkie Takes It Up A Level

The award-winning and legendary Silkie blended Irish whiskey has undergone a few small yet significant changes...

NOVEMBER 2019

Whiskey Live

We always enjoy whiskey live, a unique opportunity to reconnect with the community of distillers, blenders, ambassadors and most important whiskey drinkers...

DECEMBER 2019

New Ardara Distillery Gets The Green Light

Sliabh Liag Distillers receive sign off on planning permission

DECEMBER 2019

A love letter to the Donegal coast

A love letter to the Donegal coast: How a seaweed gin is reviving a local distilling tradition...

DECEMBER 2019

Getting Started

The first steps to distilling in Ardara started today with the diggers rolling into the site to put in place the potential flood mitigation works...

FEBRUARY 2020

Believe (Master Distiller)

Confidence is a funny thing and inner resilience probably the most under-emphasised quality that the entrepreneur needs to survive the slings and petty barbs flung by the nay-sayers and know-it-alls (who know little as it turns out)...

March 2020

It’s an ill wind – Pandemic pt 1

As with just about every distiller in the country we were off to Prowein in Dusseldorf with a full set of meetings arranged and a few catch ups with industry buddies but it is all off. Everything cancelled. The pandemic impact is getting very real and the levels of uncertainty are going through the roof...

APRIL 2020

Sanitiser

Donegal based distiller and former midwife Moira Doherty has switched gears in her business to join the national effort to fight COVID-19...

May 2020

We aren’t waiting (for New Normal)

It’s a strange time for sure and the only thing that is clear is that the political classes are floundering - in a world of soundbites and faux certainty where no one ever wants to deliver bad news- the idea that we can have certainty at the time of this pandemic seems pretty alien to me...

MAY 2020

The Legendary Dark Silkie

Sliabh Liag Distillers Reveals a Darker Side with The Legendary Dark Silkie...

June 2020

Finding our voice

About a year ago we first started talking about crowdfunding as a route and focused on Crowdcube as the partner. Their enthusiasm for our distinctive story and understanding of their investor group is probably what convinced us that fundraising in a pandemic was viable...

July 2020

Irish Whiskey

When came we home to reclaim the distilling heritage of Donegal the dream seemed like a long way off, but today our Grandads and most certainly Poppa would be very proud this evening. After 2 long weeks a concerted team effort, an immense amount of hard work and some help from Seamus and Edward at Football Special and David Stapleton at Connacht Whiskey we have distilled the first legal whiskey in Donegal since 1841.

August 2020

Cask Strength Crusade

We distil and blend whiskeys the way we like them and you will know by now that soft hard spirits is our thing. I’m a mood drinker and whether it’s a blend or a malt for pleasure it always has ice, I’ve even been known to add a mixer (but don’t tell anyone). Maybe is a hangover from our time in Zimbabwe and Malawi.

SEPTEMBER 2020

Reproduced from the article in Forbes on Irish Whiskey Distillery Smashes Crowdfunding Target

Following investment from Japanese drinks company Asahi and a group of 20 shareholders including ex-drinks industry figures, the future of Donegal-based Sliabh Liag Distillers is looking rosy...

SEPTEMBER 2020

Artisanal Spirits: Who has played the long game most effectively

So why are spirits enjoying a second coming? And no, we don’t think it is because the pandemic has driven us all to drink. On the contrary, people are drinking less than generations before them as consumers become increasingly health-conscious. What we are in fact seeing is consumers are choosing quality over quantity, provenance over glister and discovery over the obvious in order to make an experience of their chosen drinks.

SEPTEMBER 2020

Turning a Sod

With our picturesque 10 acre site by the banks of the Owentocker river now fully prepared, work proper has commenced on the new distilling building. Quite literally, a landmark occasion!

OCTOBER 2020

Well that was a blast

The strategy and execution for raising the money to reclaim the distilling heritage of Donegal is one I have drawn up and refined whenever we hit a significant mile stone. It has meant for multiple fundraising rounds and a really strong group of backers but we always wanted to go down the crowd funding route – not least because it brings a fantastic troupe of ambassadors and supporters who might otherwise not had the chance to own a piece of their own distillery...

NOVEMBER 2020

Red Silkie – press release

Following from the success of The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey, Dark Silkie and Dark Silkie Cask Strength, Sliabh Liag Distillers are set to release their new limited edition, The Legendary Red Silkie Irish Whiskey. Drawing inspiration from perhaps one of the most famous sons of Donegal, Red Hugh O’Donnell, often referred to as Aodh Rúa. Red Silkie has been carefully finished in two types of wine cask giving a balanced and sweet fruit complexity to the award-winning Silkie Irish Whiskey blend...

January 2020

Lockdown revisited – Pandemic pt 3

Noooooooooooo, not again, not another delay. We really don’t need this but getting control of this damned virus spread is the priority. The release of lock down at Christmas looked populist and high risk. And so it has proved. Another spike in cases and construction is closed down.

March 2021

Tetris (USA revisited)

The opening up of the USA is remarkable. A year ago we met Henry and by July we were shipping to him and America has taken to our Silkies...

March 2021

Press release Silkie Irish Whiskey wins Best in Class World Whiskey Awards

The team at Sliabh Liag Distillers is celebrating after winning gold and silver medals at the World Whiskies Awards. The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey won a gold medal and was named overall winner of the blended whiskey (non age statement category) and their Legendary Dark Silkie was awarded a silver medal, adding two new accolades to a growing list for The Silkie Collection...

April 2021

Its getting very real

View the video here...

April 2021

OMG – SFWSC

I’m not one for unicorns though our granddaughter Lola would not thank me for saying it. That said I have watched entries being prepared for competitions and known that great store was put on them. I have felt proud when they have been won, been part of the collective euphoria and sense of accomplishment when the press release was circulated...

May 2021

Competition press releases

Legendary Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey Awarded Best Irish Blended Whiskey at San Francisco World Spirits Competition...

NOVEMBER 2021

Ardara Distillery.
A year of living gratefully

It always amazes me that when you get into the final stretch of anything how it flies in and suddenly you are there and the whirlwind subsides...

November 2014

Adventure

That’s where we are now, off to work on a dream some years in the making. I would like to thank all of you for the challenge...

December 2014

Serendipity

It feels good to be “home” and if you believe in serendipity then try this on for size. Moira and I moved the family to our "home" in Ireland...

February 15

Rhythm

I have always needed a cause, to make a difference and make things better than when I found them. For much of my career I have managed to find that...

JUNE 2015

Joining Forces

Eventful week this one, had a meeting with Udárás down in Ballymoon, that yielded a networking opportunity...

November 2015

Charity

January 2016

Planning

January 2016

Part A – Information

JANUARY 2016

Part B – The Silkie

That’s was some night, lessons to be learned for sure but great night...

JANUARY 2016

THE LEGENDARY SILKIE IRISH WHISKEY

Visit The Silkie brand page here.

April 2016

Submission

Excited and relieved that the plans have been submitted. Cornerstone have done us proud and the building looks beautiful. It is amazing...

JUNE 2016

Released

Well she is free to beguile now. The first Silkie’s have been released onto the Irish market and we are being very clear that this is a blend of whiskies and an independent bottling...

July 2016

Bittersweet

A weekend of very mixed emotions.

We were delighted that Donegal County Council issued their decision to GRANT planning permission for the Sliabh Liag Distillery...

September 2016

Déjà vu

JANUARY 2017

GRANT OF PLANNING PERMISSION

Elated, the end to an extraordinarily difficult period...

JUNE 2017

Dom and John

Dom and John...

August 17

From Lola to Méabh

Perhaps a better heading for this one would be from Lola to Meabh – a most unexpected journey...

August 2017

Taste of Donegal

OMG what a day. Dougy (Hibernian bars) who made the bar showed me a sketch weeks ago and said don’t worry James & Moira, I’ll build you a beautiful bar you just have to trust me...

OCTOBER 2017

An Dúlamán

We said from the beginning that we would always launch locally first and that’s just what we have done...

OCTOBER 2017

AN DÚLAMÁN IRISH MARITIME GIN

Go to the An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin brand page

February 2018

Getting Out There

A fewer more distribution bridgeheads being forged...

May 2018

Hong Kong

Thoughts at the Big Buddha...

JUNE 2018

GIN WITH A TASTE OF THE WILD ATLANTIC TO LAUNCH IN UK

The multi award-winning An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin, the first to be produced in remote County Donegal, is available to UK...

July 2018

Momentum

September 2018

Wholehearted

APRIL 2019

Planning Submitted for Ardara

And breathe . . .
It has been an exciting few days finalizing the designs for the new distillery in Ardara...

JUNE 2019

Father’s Day with The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey and Selfridges & Co.

In the run up to Father’s Day on Sunday, June 16th, Selfridges & Co have teamed up with The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey...

AUGUST 2019

Santa Ana

Go to the Santa Ana brand page

AUGUST 2019

Ireland’s First Navy Strength Gin…

An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin Reveals ‘Santa Ana’ – their cask-aged Armada Strength Gin.

SEPTEMBER 2019

Assaranca Vodka

Go to the Assaranca Vodka brand page

SEPTEMBER 2019

Assaranca Vodka – The Spirit of the Donegal Hills

Sliabh Liag Distillers reveal new premium vodka.

SEPTEMBER 2019

The Tease

OCTOBER 2019

The Big Bluff

OCTOBER 2019

Smooth Silkie Takes It Up A Level

The award-winning and legendary Silkie blended Irish whiskey has undergone a few small yet significant changes...

NOVEMBER 2019

Whiskey Live

We always enjoy whiskey live, a unique opportunity to reconnect with the community of distillers, blenders, ambassadors and most important whiskey drinkers...

DECEMBER 2019

New Ardara Distillery Gets The Green Light

Sliabh Liag Distillers receive sign off on planning permission

DECEMBER 2019

A love letter to the Donegal coast

A love letter to the Donegal coast: How a seaweed gin is reviving a local distilling tradition...

DECEMBER 2019

Getting Started

The first steps to distilling in Ardara started today with the diggers rolling into the site to put in place the potential flood mitigation works...

FEBRUARY 2020

Believe (Master Distiller)

March 2020

It’s an ill wind – Pandemic pt 1

APRIL 2020

Sanitiser

Donegal based distiller and former midwife Moira Doherty has switched gears in her business to join the national effort to fight COVID-19...

May 2020

We aren’t waiting (for New Normal)

MAY 2020

The Legendary Dark Silkie

Sliabh Liag Distillers Reveals a Darker Side with The Legendary Dark Silkie...

June 2020

Finding our voice

July 2020

Irish Whiskey

August 2020

Cask Strength Crusade

SEPTEMBER 2020

Reproduced from the article in Forbes on Irish Whiskey Distillery Smashes Crowdfunding Target

Following investment from Japanese drinks company Asahi and a group of 20 shareholders including ex-drinks industry figures, the future of Donegal-based Sliabh Liag Distillers is looking rosy...

SEPTEMBER 2020

Artisanal Spirits: Who has played the long game most effectively

SEPTEMBER 2020

Turning a Sod

With our picturesque 10 acre site by the banks of the Owentocker river now fully prepared, work proper has commenced on the new distilling building. Quite literally, a landmark occasion!

OCTOBER 2020

Well that was a blast

NOVEMBER 2020

Red Silkie – press release

January 2020

Lockdown revisited – Pandemic pt 3

March 2021

Tetris (USA revisited)

The opening up of the USA is remarkable. A year ago we met Henry and by July we were shipping to him and America has taken to our Silkies...

March 2021

Press release Silkie Irish Whiskey wins Best in Class World Whiskey Awards

April 2021

Its getting very real

View the video here...

April 2021

OMG – SFWSC

May 2021

Competition press releases

Legendary Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey Awarded Best Irish Blended Whiskey at San Francisco World Spirits Competition...

NOVEMBER 2021

Ardara Distillery.
A year of living gratefully

It always amazes me that when you get into the final stretch of anything how it flies in and suddenly you are there and the whirlwind subsides...

Return to Story

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SLIABH LIAG DISTILLERS

DD

MM

YYYY

Blog - Sliabh Liag Distillers

Blog - Sliabh Liag Distillers

November 2014

Adventure

December 2014

Serendipity

February 15

Rhythm

JUNE 2015

Joining Forces

November 2015

Charity

January 2016

Planning

January 2016

Part A – Information

JANUARY 2016

Part B – The Silkie

JANUARY 2016

THE LEGENDARY SILKIE IRISH WHISKEY

April 2016

Submission

JUNE 2016

Released

July 2016

Bittersweet

September 2016

Déjà vu

JANUARY 2017

GRANT OF PLANNING PERMISSION

JUNE 2017

Dom and John

August 17

From Lola to Méabh

August 2017

Taste of Donegal

OCTOBER 2017

An Dúlamán

OCTOBER 2017

AN DÚLAMÁN IRISH MARITIME GIN

February 2018

Getting Out There

May 2018

Hong Kong

JUNE 2018

GIN WITH A TASTE OF THE WILD ATLANTIC TO LAUNCH IN UK

July 2018

Momentum

September 2018

Wholehearted

APRIL 2019

Planning Submitted for Ardara

JUNE 2019

Father’s Day with The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey and Selfridges & Co.

AUGUST 2019

Santa Ana

AUGUST 2019

Ireland’s First Navy Strength Gin…

SEPTEMBER 2019

Assaranca Vodka

SEPTEMBER 2019

Assaranca Vodka – The Spirit of the Donegal Hills

SEPTEMBER 2019

The Tease

OCTOBER 2019

The Big Bluff

OCTOBER 2019

Smooth Silkie Takes It Up A Level

NOVEMBER 2019

Whiskey Live

DECEMBER 2019

New Ardara Distillery Gets The Green Light

DECEMBER 2019

A love letter to the Donegal coast

DECEMBER 2019

Ardara Distillery.
A year of living gratefully