Ahascragh Distillery

A brief overview

Ahascragh is an Irish distillery based in Ahascragh in Galway that was built in 2023. The distillery is special because it produces zero energy emissions. Their current releases are sourced and sold under the Clan Colla and Uais brands.

Who are they?

The founders, Gareth and Michelle McAllister are originally from Dublin and are new to distilling. Gareth is a chemical engineer by trade and was regional president of LORD Corporation, a technology and manufacturing company.

What are their headline whiskies?

The Clan Colla range has four sourced whiskies:

·         7-year old Panamanian Rum Cask finish

·         11-year old Family Bond Series (finished in Oloroso and Peated Casks)

·         13-year old Family Bond Series (finished in Oloroso Casks)

·         19-year old Family Bond Series (finished in Oloroso Casks)

·         UAIS Triple Blend

All come at a reasonable price point for their ageing. At least some of the liquid comes from the Great Northern Distillery on the Cooley peninsula, so it’s probably a fair guess that most/all of their current releases are from there. Some casks have been sourced from Ireland and others from Scotland, including some from Laphroaig.

The packaging and brand is exceptional, and even better when we know the glass and label are recycled, the wood stopper is sustainable and the seal is biodegradable.

Nigel and John have tasted most of the range.

Nigel’s view: I’ve tasted the 7-year old, 11-year old and UAIS releases. I like the 7-year old; it has a light nose and flavour that’s nicely softened by the rum influence and is probably the pick of the tree for me. The 11-year old is a little hot, but has reasonable body and is a genuine option for a dry and sweet/peat palate – the influences of the Irish and Laphroaig peated casks and the sherry butts are clear. The UAIS is dry with a strong wood influence and, at its price point, is a genuinely decent everyday bottle.

John’s view: Having had the chance to personally visit the Ahascragh distillery, I see it as a brand that blends the old with the new, and their whiskies, Clan Colla and UAIS, are perfect examples

of this.

Clan Colla gives you that deep, complex profile you’d expect from a premium Irish whiskey

due to its older age statements. It’s smooth and rich, with flavours that linger just long

enough. The branding & bottle adds a sense of heritage and elegance, making it a standout

on the shelf or back bar. Make sure to use a nice rocks glass or Glencairn glass for this one.

UAIS, on the other hand, after I learned how to say it, feels like the more modern

sibling—inviting, accessible, but still with enough complexity to keep you coming back. The

bottle design is sharp and clean, much like the whiskey inside, which feels like a great

introduction for newcomers but won’t disappoint more experienced drinkers either. It took

some time for me to warm up to the unorthodox branding, but its grown on me now that I’ve

spent more time with it.

But what really sets Ahascragh apart for me is their commitment to sustainability. Their use

of green energy, of maintaining the building heritage and target of net zero emissions isn’t

just a marketing angle—it’s a real commitment, and it shows they’re thinking about the future

of both whiskey and the planet. Gareth took me deep into the back halls to show off his

systems, and the sense of pride was immense.

With their current offerings already impressing, I can’t wait to see what they produce once

their own liquid hits the market. If they can maintain this balance of innovation and tradition,

while staying true to their green credentials, Ahascragh is definitely a brand to watch.

Why should I like this distillery?

It’s a technology and sustainability-focused distillery with a small but strong opening sourced range. Definitely one to keep an eye on when they start releasing their own whiskies in the coming years.