Achill Island Distillery

The Achill Island Distillery also known as the Drioglann Oileán Acla is located on Achill Island off the coast of Galway and Mayo.

Under the watchful eyes of the Irish American Trading Company, Achill Island Distillery began distilling at the end of July 2019. It is Ireland’s only island-based whiskey distillery.

The Irish American Trading Company was founded in 2015 and focuses mainly on the US market with their Irish American brand of Irish whiskey now available to buy in 26 states including California.

Irish American Trading Company currently sells two brands of whiskey: its Irish American Classic Blend and its Irish American Ten-Year-Old Single Malt. They are both examples of bourbon cask matured Irish Whiskey. They have a fruity nose combined with vanilla & caramel notes from the barrel with a little hint of spice too.

At present, Irish American sources its whiskeys from existing distilleries in Ireland blend them into their own brand. They hope to eventually use only whiskey they produce themselves when the stock they are currently laying down fully matures.

The distillery has two copper stills which were manufactured in Scotland and are the centrepiece of the new visitor centre in the distillery.

The visitors centre is set to open to the public very soon and will also offer tours and tastings in its own bar, The Barley Field.

When it is ready it will form an essential part of a burgeoning Gaeltacht Distillery Trail that is currently being developed by entrepreneurs in differing Gaeltacht areas.

The Achill distillery was designed by master distiller David Hynes, Director of Great Northern Distillery. It’s development was supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta as well as an investment of €4 million from The Irish American Trading Company.