Crolly Distillery offer the chance to own a piece of Irish whiskey heritage

Crolly Distillery, Donegal’s first licensed whiskey distillery in 180 years, has released Cask 2 of its first direct fire-heated premium single malt.

This historic Cask 2 release is limited to 270 bottles and gives whiskey lovers and collectors the chance to acquire their very own unique piece of Donegal whiskey heritage.

Conor McMenamin, a Co-founder of Drioglann Chroithlí (Crolly Distillery), which is nestled between Mount Errigal and the Atlantic coast in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht, says this Cask 2 release is highly significant in the centuries-old story of Irish whiskey.

READ NEXT: Muireann Bradley pens new record deal to re-release debut album

Conor explains: “Distillation on these islands began in Donegal, just a short distance from where we stand now. It all started with St Colmcille, who made alcohol at the foot of Errigal around 1,500 years ago, and today we are continuing the local tradition that’s been passed down through the ages.

“The launch of our first Cask Two from direct fired vintage Charentais copper pot stills, which were formerly used in premium Cognac production in France, is a key moment in the Irish whiskey story. Under the supervision of our master distillers Julio Diana and John Casey, we have produced a premium double-distilled single malt with a very distinctive and rich depth of flavour,” Conor says.

The unique flavour and browning of the whiskey are due to the rare distillation process involving the direct heating of the pot stills by gas fire to achieve what’s known as the ‘Maillard’ effect – much the same as searing a prime steak on a hot griddle pan.

Conor says sales of the sought-after Cask 2 spirit have been swift.

“There’s been no need to publicise this Cask 2 release as most of the bottles have already been sold, with only a small number remaining.”

He adds: “Whether buyers are choosing to enjoy this four-year-old premium whiskey today or to save it as a rare collectible to mark a defining moment in the centuries-old story of Donegal distillation, they will own a unique piece of Donegal’s whiskey heritage.”

The individually numbered bottles are priced at €425 and are presented in a locally handcrafted wooden case lined with traditional Donegal tweed. At the time of writing, there is still a chance to acquire this little piece of whiskey history at the thecrollydistillery.com online shop.

The Donegal distillery’s core range of Croithlí premium single malts is the Coillín Darach Oak Series, which retails at €79. It includes the award-winning ‘Quercus Alba’ and ‘Quercus Robur’, and customer favourite ‘Sessile’ — all of which are matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in virgin oak casks, using wood species as the key differentiator to the flavour delivery.

Visitors can also buy products at the distillery during the Crolly Distillery Experience tour which provides an opportunity to savour the ‘spirit’ of Donegal in the tasting lounge and capture the essence of Gaeltacht whiskey making each day from 11am to 5pm