Ardara Distillery Launches 2026 Edition Heavily Peated Single Malt

Carrying on a Century-Old Recipe, Irish Smoked Whiskey Makes a Strong Comeback

Located in Donegal, Ireland, Ardara Distillery has announced the release of its second heavily peated single malt expression, Ardara Single Malt 2026 Edition (46% ABV), alongside its cask strength counterpart, Ardara Single Malt 2026 Edition Cask Strength (60.9% ABV). This release inherits Ireland's classic triple distillation craft, meticulously blended and matured using 63% Oloroso sherry casks, 35.7% bourbon casks, and 1.3% virgin oak casks, presenting a multi-layered flavor profile.

Original Craft and Flavor Profile

In terms of brewing technique, the distillery utilizes its proprietary "The Ardara Method". The malt undergoes deep peated smoke treatment, creating sweet nutty and smoky aromas. To build a robust body capable of carrying the rich smoky characteristics, the fermentation process retains all grains and goes directly into the wash still. After triple distillation, the spirit is first filled into a 6,000-liter Solera vat to rest for 72 hours, and then drawn into 1,200-liter casks for maturation, ensuring consistent flavor continuity across every batch.

On the palate, Ardara Single Malt 2026 Edition exudes sweet fruitiness, nuts, and subtle beeswax notes. The entry reveals French crullers, stewed pears, toasted coconut, almonds, leather, and tobacco, finishing with roasted apples and campfire smoke aromas. The cask strength version offers an even more intense flavor profile featuring green melon, citrus, honeyed pears, and mint, concluding with earth smoke and a sweet raisin finish.

Pioneering a New Global Market Landscape

Ardara Distillery founder James Doherty stated that the expression was inspired by an illicit distillation recipe left by his grandfather. A century ago, Donegal was renowned for its heavily peated whiskey, which gradually disappeared as market preferences shifted toward smoother styles. The distillery is dedicated to reviving this craft. Following the sensational debut of their first release in Germany, France, the UK, and global travel retail, the distillery is actively expanding into the US market, showcasing the ultimate charm of Irish smoked whiskey to the world.

📅 Publish Date: 2026-08-11

🔗 Source: https://thewhiskywire.com/2026/08/11/ardara-distillery-launches-its-latest-heavily-peated-release/