Dingle Distillery: History, Owner and Range
Updated: 7 hours ago
Dingle Distillery is an artisan Irish whiskey distillery in a converted sawmill in Milltown, near Dingle in County Kerry. It became the first independent Irish distillery in decades to release a single pot still whiskey.
In this guide
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Dingle at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Dingle |
Country and region | County Kerry, Ireland |
Owner / operator | Dingle Distillery |
Historical background | Oliver Hughes started the project and the sawmill was converted in 2012. At least 25 jobs were reported. To attract investors, the first 500 special casks were offered to Founding Fathers,… |
Whisky identity | Irish whiskey produced in a converted Dingle sawmill |
Visitor planning | Check the producer's official site for current tours and operating hours. |
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At a glance
Location: Milltown, outskirts of Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland
Owner: the Porterhouse Brewing Company
Opened: 29 November 2012, in the former Fitzgerald sawmill
Founder: Oliver Hughes, also a founder of Porterhouse, now deceased
Stills: copper pot stills designed by John McDougall
Output: two casks of whiskey a day, with plans to double spirit production announced for 2018
Also makes: Dingle Gin and Dingle Vodka. About 100,000 bottles of gin a year were sold as of 2017
History in chapters
Oliver Hughes started the project and the sawmill was converted in 2012. At least 25 jobs were reported. To attract investors, the first 500 special casks were offered to Founding Fathers, ready for bottling from November 2017. Irish law requires three years of maturation, so the first whiskey came out in late 2016. In 2017 Dingle became the first independent Irish distillery to release a single pot still whiskey in several decades.
Releases
Late 2016: Dingle Single Malt at 46.5% ABV (7,500 bottles) and Cask Strength at 60.7% ABV (500 bottles), both triple distilled and bourbon cask matured
2017: three single malts and one single pot still whiskey
A limited series named after the Celtic Wheel of the Year
What the official site says
Dingle Distillery describes itself as strongly independent and says it began distilling in 2012. The official Our Story page says it was founded by three friends, Oliver Hughes, Liam LaHart and Peter Mosley, who first made their name in Ireland's craft beer scene.
Our owner note: the Wikipedia based section above names the Porterhouse Brewing Company as owner. The official pages call the distillery independent and do not name an owner, so treat ownership as unconfirmed.
The core whiskey range: Dingle Single Malt (bourbon, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks, wooden mash tun, locally sourced malted barley), Dingle 10 Years Old Single Malt (bourbon, Port and Pedro Ximenez casks) and Dingle Single Pot Still (malted and unmalted barley, bourbon, Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez and red wine casks). The site calls the spirit triple distilled.
Production: a team of 20 headed by Paddy Foley, running seven days a week with bottling on site. Three stills of 3,000 litres each, run for 6 to 8 hours.
The distillery also makes Dingle Gin, which it describes as the official World's Best Gin, and a quintuple distilled Dingle Vodka. A cask programme lets people become cask owners.
Visiting Dingle Distillery: official details
Address: Dingle Distillery, Dingle, County Kerry, V92 E7YD. Tours email: tours@dingledistillery.ie.
Distillery Tour: EUR 25 per person (EUR 22 students and over 65s), 75 minutes, covering whiskey, gin and vodka making. Distillers Selection Tour: EUR 50 per person, 75 minutes, whiskey only with a tutored tasting of 5 whiskeys. Private tours EUR 450.
Over 18s only. The tour is indoors, free parking is available, and it is not wheelchair accessible because of stairs and long standing. Production may not run on some days or afternoons.
Alcohol is not sold on site. Booking ahead is strongly recommended. Opening times vary through the year and were not listed on the page read.
FAQ
Who owns Dingle Distillery?
The Porterhouse Brewing Company.
When did it open?
29 November 2012.
What was the building?
The Fitzgerald sawmill.
When was the first whiskey released?
Late 2016, after the three year legal minimum.
What was special about 2017?
It released the first single pot still from an independent Irish distillery in decades.
What else does it make?
Gin and vodka.
Who founded it?
Oliver Hughes.
Who designed the stills?
John McDougall.
Sources
Facts come from the Wikipedia article on Dingle Distillery, read on 19 October 2026. They have not yet been checked against the official distillery website, which did not load in this run. Whisky Clan does not publish tasting notes in its distillery profiles.
Further sources and gaps
Further sources checked and gaps (20 October 2026): dingledistillery.ie home, Our Story, Core Expressions and Visit/Tours pages. ABVs for the core range, owner confirmation and opening times were not on those pages. The 46.5% and 60.7% ABVs in the Wikipedia section above are for 2016 releases only. Prices as seen on 20 October 2026.
What makes Dingle distinctive?
Irish whiskey produced in a converted Dingle sawmill
Dingle whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Dingle Single Malt | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Irish whiskey produced in a converted Dingle sawmill |
Dingle Single Pot Still | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Irish whiskey produced in a converted Dingle sawmill |
The table records named or historical expressions. Exact availability, strength and provenance can change; consult the producer for current details.
Explore related distilleries
Frequently asked questions about Dingle
Where is Dingle located?
County Kerry, Ireland.
Who owns or operates Dingle?
Dingle Distillery.
What makes Dingle distinctive?
Irish whiskey produced in a converted Dingle sawmill.
Which whiskies are documented for Dingle?
Dingle Single Malt, Dingle Single Pot Still. Availability varies.
Can visitors tour Dingle?
Check the producer's current tour and booking information; not all sites are open to visitors.
Sources and editorial notes
The original research and reference links have been retained. Current ownership, prices, operating status and visitor arrangements should be reconfirmed.
Image note: the cover is an illustrative whisky photograph from the Whisky Clan media library, not a photograph of this distillery or its products.
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Cover photograph: Dingle Distillery's actual black facade and signed entrance in County Kerry, Ireland. Source: Dingle Harbour Cottages travel journal. Reuse rights have not been independently confirmed.
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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