Waterford Distillery: History, Terroir and Receivership
Updated: 2 hours ago
Waterford Distillery was founded by Mark Reynier, the former Bruichladdich boss, in the town of Waterford on the River Suir. It is built on a former Guinness brewery and is known for single farm origin whiskey that aims to show how the growing environment of barley shapes flavour.
In this guide
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Waterford at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Location / region | County Waterford, Ireland |
Owner / producer | Ownership and receivership status require current verification |
History | Production began in 2015 at a former brewery in Waterford. |
Style | Irish single malt whiskey |
Bottles documented | Waterford Single Farm Origin Ballykilcavan, Waterford Organic Gaia |
Before visiting | Check current public access, tour availability and opening hours directly with the producer. |
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History
Mark Reynier's company Renegade Spirits bought the modern brewery in 2014. The building was originally commissioned by Diageo for Guinness, but the brewery built in 2004 was shut in 2013. The first new make flowed in 2015, and the first whiskey launched in 2020, on the eve of the Covid-19 lockdowns.
How it is made
Barley comes from Irish farms, with each farm's barley kept separate from field to bottle, and some farms grow organic barley. The distillery took two pot stills from Bruichladdich that had operated as Inverleven. A hydromill and mash filter replace a traditional mash tun.
Receivership
Waterford appointed receivers in late 2024. Mark Reynier said distillation would pause while stock was used to sustain the brand. Check the official website for the current ownership and status before publishing.
What the official site says now
The Waterford Whiskey website (waterfordwhisky.com, redirecting to waterfordwhiskey.com) was read on 20 October 2026. Its headline is 'Waterford Whiskey is Back' and it describes Irish single malt distilled in Waterford from barley grown on distinct Irish farms, each bottling an expression of place, season and story. It adds that exciting things are in store.
The page does not say who now owns the distillery, whether distillation has restarted, or what the receivership outcome was. Those points are not confirmed here.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Waterford Distillery?
Mark Reynier.
What is single farm origin?
Whiskey made from the barley of one farm, kept separate through production.
What happened in 2024?
The distillery went into receivership.
Sources
Further sources checked on 20 October 2026: waterfordwhisky.com home page.
Gaps for Filip: current owner, whether the receivership ended in a sale, production status, range names and strengths. Only the home page loaded, behind an age gate.
What makes Waterford distinctive?
Terroir-focused Irish single malt; historic releases do not establish that the business is currently operating
Waterford bottle and expression comparison
The following expressions are documented in producer or release sources. Special editions can be sold out and some blended labels include sourced whisky.
Rare and historic whisky editions
These are historical or special releases, not live stock listings.
Bottle or expression | Age or release | ABV | Producer documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
Waterford Single Farm Origin Ballykilcavan | Batch varies | Check label | Historic farm-origin Irish single malt |
Waterford Organic Gaia | Batch varies | Check label | Organic malt |
Waterford The Cuvée | Batch varies | Check label | Multi-farm cask vatting |
Bottle ranges, casks and strengths change. The table lists documented releases, not guaranteed current stock; check the producer's labels and latest information.
More whisky distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Waterford
Where is Waterford based?
County Waterford, Ireland. See the location section for the detailed site address.
Who owns Waterford?
Ownership and receivership status require current verification.
What matters in Waterford's history?
Production began in 2015 at a former brewery in Waterford.
Which whiskies are associated with Waterford?
Waterford Single Farm Origin Ballykilcavan, Waterford Organic Gaia. Current availability varies.
Can you visit Waterford?
Check the producer's latest booking and visitor information; some working distilleries are not open for public tours.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research, references and historical qualifications have been retained in this article. Visitor details and expression availability are date-sensitive.
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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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