Sliabh Liag distillery

Introduction to Sliabh Liag Distillery

A distillery with passion for craft

Sliabh Liag (pronounced “Slieve League”) is an Irish distillery nestled in the rugged coastal landscape of County Donegal, where the wild Atlantic meets Ireland’s tallest sea cliffs. This ambitious distillery has established itself as a beacon of Irish whiskey renaissance, reviving traditional Donegal distilling methods that had been lost to time.

With a deep commitment to authentic Irish whiskey production, Sliabh Liag is bringing back the distinctive peated style that once defined the spirits of this region, creating a bridge between Ireland’s distilling past and its exciting future.

Why we have a soft spot for Sliabh Liag

At Vault of Spirits, we treasure distilleries that honor heritage while blazing new trails. Sliabh Liag captures our imagination through its dedication to reviving the lost smoky style of Donegal whiskey, which stands apart from the typical unpeated Irish whiskeys that dominate the market today.

Their commitment to maritime-influenced maturation, use of local peat, and focus on traditional pot still distillation creates spirits with a profound sense of place—ones that tell the story of Ireland’s wild Atlantic coastline in every sip.

The History Behind Sliabh Liag

Origin and development

Founded in 2017 by James and Moira Doherty, Sliabh Liag Distillers began with a mission to resurrect Donegal’s rich distilling heritage. While the company started producing gin at their Ardara facility, their ambition was always to create authentic Irish whiskey.

In 2020, they achieved a significant milestone by beginning whiskey distillation at their new facility in Carrick, marking the return of legal distilling to Donegal after nearly 200 years. This achievement represented not just a business venture, but a cultural reclamation of the region’s distilling identity.

The people behind

At the helm of Sliabh Liag are James and Moira Doherty, whose vision combines James’s background in the spirits industry with a deep respect for Donegal’s whiskey traditions. James, with experience at companies like Patrón and William Grant & Sons, brings technical expertise, while his Donegal roots provide the cultural foundation for the distillery’s mission.

Their team shares a passionate commitment to recreating the distinctive maritime character and peated profile that once made Donegal whiskey famous, guided by historical research and reverence for traditional methods.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Sliabh Liag’s production begins with carefully selected Irish barley, including both malted and unmalted varieties for their pot still expressions. What sets them apart is their use of locally cut peat from Donegal, which imparts a distinctive smokiness different from Scotch whisky—more delicate, with maritime notes reflecting the coastal terroir.

Distillation takes place in traditional copper pot stills, designed to create rich, characterful spirits. Their process honors historical Irish methods, including triple distillation for some expressions, while incorporating innovations that enhance flavor development.

Maturation and aging

The maritime environment of Donegal plays a crucial role in the maturation process. Casks breathe in the salt-laden air, contributing to the whiskey’s distinctive coastal character.

Sliabh Liag utilizes a diverse range of casks, including ex-bourbon barrels, Oloroso sherry butts, rioja wine casks, and even barrels that previously held their own Silkie blend. This varied approach to maturation creates complexity and depth, with each cask type contributing unique flavor elements to the final product.

Selected Products from Sliabh Liag

The Silkie Irish Whiskey – An introduction to the house style

This smooth, blended Irish whiskey serves as an excellent introduction to Sliabh Liag’s approach. Named after mythological shape-shifting creatures from Donegal folklore, The Silkie offers notes of honey, malt, orange zest, and a hint of maritime character.

With its approachable profile and subtle complexity, it perfectly balances tradition with accessibility, making it ideal for both newcomers to Irish whiskey and experienced enthusiasts.

Dark Silkie – A peated expression

Dark Silkie introduces the peated character that historically defined Donegal whiskey. This rich, smoky blend combines peated malt with unpeated grain whiskeys to create a balanced expression with notes of chocolate, dried fruits, smoked apple, and a gentle maritime peatiness.

Unlike heavily peated Scotches, Dark Silkie offers a distinctly Irish interpretation of smokiness—more subtle and integrated, with a sweetness that complements rather than competes with the peat influence.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Sliabh Liag Distillery welcomes visitors to their facility in Carrick, County Donegal, where guests can experience firsthand the revival of traditional Irish whiskey making. Tours include a comprehensive look at their production process, from malting through distillation and maturation.

The tasting experience typically features their core range of products, including The Silkie, Dark Silkie, and when available, their new-make spirit or limited releases. This offers visitors a complete understanding of their whiskey-making philosophy and distinctive house style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sliabh Liag?

Sliabh Liag is an Irish whiskey distillery located in County Donegal that specializes in reviving the historical peated style of whiskey once common in this region. They produce both blended and single malt expressions with a distinctive maritime character that reflects their coastal location.

Their portfolio also includes An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin, which incorporates locally foraged seaweed among its botanicals.

Where is Sliabh Liag located?

The distillery is located in Carrick, County Donegal, Ireland, near the magnificent Sliabh Liag cliffs—among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. This remote, wild Atlantic location influences both their production methods and the character of their spirits.

What characterizes Sliabh Liag whiskey?

Sliabh Liag whiskeys are distinguished by their revival of Donegal’s traditional peated style, featuring a gentle smokiness that differs from Scotch or Islay peat profiles. Their spirits also showcase a pronounced maritime influence from the Atlantic coastal maturation environment.

The distillery embraces both innovation and tradition, creating whiskeys that honor historical Irish methods while offering a distinctive alternative to mainstream Irish whiskey styles.

Where can I buy whiskey from Sliabh Liag?

You can find selected bottles from Sliabh Liag at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate their range, offering both their core expressions and limited releases as they become available, ensuring you have access to these distinctive Irish whiskeys that represent the revival of Donegal’s distilling heritage.