Sliabh Liag Distillers in Co Donegal has released the first legally distilled whiskey in the county since 1841.
'Sliabh Liag Single Malt Whiskey - The Kilcar Release' is named after an area where, in bygone days, co-owner, James Doherty's grandfather produced a smoky, double distilled spirit high 'up the glen' in Cill Chartha which is near Sliabh Liag.
The last distillery in Co Donegal was in Burt in the north of the county and it closed in 1841.
This new single malt whiskey is a connection to his past for James. He said it was a special feeling to release a whiskey in his grandfather's honour - a bridge between generations of Donegal distillers.
Distilled in the dark days of the Covid pandemic, it has now aged its three years and has the smoky smell of the Donegal turf.
During the malting process, the distillery even used turf from a bog in the townland of Mín na bhFachrán, which lies just behind Sliabh Liag itself, to achieve its smoky character.
Three of the earliest bottles have been auctioned for charities. Two went to support the people of Creeslough after last year's tragedy there, and to the children's charity Rosabel's Rooms in Galway.
The remaining 100 bottles are available through a ballot which closes tomorrow.
