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Ahascragh Distillery is making whiskey history in the West of Ireland. Our zero-emissions whiskey and gin distillery will be powered completely by renewable energy. We are now fundraising to complete a world-class visitor and hospitality experience. Our journey has already begun with three brands on the market and global demand for Irish whiskey set to double by 2030.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS :
- Irish Whiskey is the fastest growing premium spirit in the world
- Ahascragh Distillery is on track to produce some of the first zero-emissions spirits in Ireland
- Focusing on the Asian market with a Serviceable Obtainable Market of 17,000 cases by 2030
- Experienced and well-connected Founders and team with strong knowledge of the key markets
- 3 brands launched with 9 products on international markets
- A 2021 crowd fundraise exceeded target by 485%, securing phase 1 of Ahascragh Distillery
OUR PLANS:
While living in Asia, we grew tired of being offered an “Irish Scotch” and spotted a gap in the market for premium Irish Whiskey. The fastest growing premium spirit in the world, growing by 140% in 10 years, Irish whiskey sales are set to double by 2030. As demand grows, we have renovated a historical mill into one of Ireland’s first zero-emissions whiskey and gin distilleries. Our goal is to sustainably produce premium Irish whiskey and gin with innovation and transparency. Our award-winning products continue to successfully compete on a world stage in a premium luxury market.
Why Invest in Irish Whiskey?
Worldwide sales of Irish whiskey have risen by more than 300% in the last 10 years. From living in China and Hong Kong, we’ve seen the opportunity first hand. Exports to Asia grew 362% from 2013 to 2019 and projections show an annual growth rate of at least 20%. 1 in every 2 bottles of whiskey sold globally by 2025 will be bought in India. Furthermore, over 6.1 million cases of super-premium priced Irish whiskey were sold in the United States in 2022.
Why Invest in Ahascragh Distillery?
A key differentiator is our drive to be zero-emissions. Our eco-distillery is powered with renewable energy – wind, solar and hydro, using high temperature heat pump technology and an energy efficient storage system. We are not burning any fossil fuels or gas to drive our distillation process. We will have no carbon emissions from the energy supply side of the distillery. We believe this is a first for the industry.
REVENUE:
Ahascragh Distillers’ business plan delivers multiple income streams. Spirit, fresh make, casks, third party activities, merchandise and café sales are currently revenue generating. Visitor tours and events will add to sales income in the coming months.
KEY MILESTONES:
- €1.5 million Founders investment; €1.8 million raised in seed round; €3.0 million raised in subsequent equity round
- Received Sustainability Energy Authority of Ireland grant of €500,000
- 9 whiskey and gin SKUs launched in 12 countries as of 2022
- Multiple national and international awards in 2022 for gin and whiskeys
- Phase one of the distillery build is complete with commissioning and distillation in early 2023
- Local warehousing secured
- 5 out of 8 revenue streams activated. Additional streams will generate income when tours and events commence
Team:
Ahascragh Distillery has put together a well-connected and experienced team

Gareth McAllister (Founder)
A chemical engineer and certified distiller with over 30 years experience in the chemical and process industries. Most recently based in Hong Kong as President and Officer of a leading multinational, Gareth has achieved commercial successes in managing large scale manufacturing operations and businesses. Now, turning his passion for Irish whiskey into a family, global business.

Michelle McAllister (Founder)
A trained psychologist and the creator of Xin Gin, Michelle is an avid collector of gins from around the world with a goal to combine the flavours she’s experienced on her travels with Irish botanicals.

Karen White (Head of Sales and Marketing)
A multi-lingual commercial and marketing leader, Karen has extensive experience building and developing brands. For more than a decade, Karen worked with global drinks company, Pernod Ricard in various marketing and commercial roles. More recently, she set-up her own consulting business, providing expertise to small online businesses.

Cáit Baxter (Distillery Manager)
Cáit has been working in the industry since 2014. She has worked in nearly every facet of the industry; bars, tours, retail, sales, bottling & distilling. Her most recent role was Senior Distiller at Dingle Distillery, County Kerry.

Jim Mulqueen (Board Member)
An experienced Corporate Finance advisor, with 25 years' experience completing transactions and specialising in company acquisitions and disposals, debt and equity fundraising.

Dr. Jack O’Shea (Consulting Master Distiller)
An Irish whiskey veteran, Jack has worked with numerous distilleries and is a tutor at the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. Jack has a PhD and MSc in Brewing and Distilling, an MBA, a degree in Biochemistry, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a Higher Diploma in Education. Jack is supporting the design and construction of the distillery

Seán Mahon (Sales)
A sales professional with experience working within the Services and Technology Sectors. Seán has vast experience dealing in contract negotiations for both Pan European and International Organisations with skills sales, customer relationship management and operations.

Alison Greene (Marketing and Communications Manager)
Born and bred in Ahascragh, Alison has worked in marketing and communications with extensive experience managing and executing national and international marketing and press campaigns.

Organic Architects
An architecture firm specialising in the design of distilleries. Director Gareth Roberts is a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Designs include; Lindores Abbey Distillery, Ardnamurchan Distillery, NcNean Distillery
CLAN INVESTMENT
Following successful subsequent equity rounds, we wanted to welcome further investors to be Part of the Clan. Our Clan Investment 2023 is EIIS eligible with a minimum investment of 240 shares at €125 each (€30,000).
Investments in Clan Ordinary Shares will go towards the completion of our Visitor Events Building, with plans to open Summer 2024.
OUR BRANDS
While we wait for the first drop of Ahascragh spirit, we want to give a taste of what’s to come. We began our journey with our Family Bond of hand-selected releases – Clan Colla Irish Whiskey, UAIS Irish Whiskey & Xin Gin. Clan Colla is inspired by the legend of The Three Collas. Our first sourced whiskey releases include our 20 Year Old Single Malts, 19 Year Old Single Malt, 11 Year Old Blend and 7 Year Old Single Grain. UAIS Irish Whiskey is named after Colla Uais, the High King of Ireland. A unique fusion of Pot Still, Single Malt and Grain Whiskeys, aged in Ex-Bourbon and Virgin Oak casks. We are now distilling our Xin Gin on-site. A perfect balance of European and Oriental botanicals, inspired by our two homes, Asia and Ireland. Our brands are now on sale via Celtic Whiskey Shop and Irish Malts. We are also on-sale in key stockists across Ireland and Internationally. Our key target markets are Asia, the USA and beyond. Sláinte!
ZERO-EMISSIONS DISTILLERY
Ahascragh Distillery is on target to be the first eco-distillery of this scale in Ireland. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is supporting the development of the distillery, with capital support of €500,000. We engaged FDT Consulting Engineers and Project Managers Ltd. to undertake an energy efficient design review of the proposed distillery in Ahascragh. Decarbonisation specialist Astatine developed and installed the technology that has delivered substantial reductions in the utility demands of the distillery through a novel means of thermal storage, combined with optimal heat recovery within the process.
WHY INVEST IN IRISH WHISKEY?
1.Fastest growing premium spirit in the world. 2. Growth of Irish Whiskey over the last decade of 140%. 3. Global demand currently surpasses supply. 4. Sales set to double by 2030, eclipsing Scotch Whisky. 5. 20 years ago there were 3 distilleries in Ireland now there are 40 (versus 140 distilleries in Scotland). 6. Value of Irish whiskey exports reached €890 million in 2019. 7. Pandemic proof product – 11.4 million cases sold in 2020. Just 0.4% decrease from previous year. 8. 1 million visitors to distilleries in Ireland in 2019.
KEY FEATURES
Some key features of the distillery: The peak heating and cooling demand has more than halved. Unlike other distilleries in Ireland, the heat delivered to the distillery will not require the combustion of any fossil fuels, and will utilise green electricity. Heat will be provided to the distillery through heat pumps which means that there will be no flue related emissions, or impacts on the local environment. The heat pump design, heat recovery and thermal storage means that the energy inputs to the distillery are a third than that of traditional technology. The building itself has been protected with much of the original machinery and wooden beams being restored and reused.
FROM ASIA TO AHASCRAGH
We’re Gareth & Michelle McAllister, a husband and wife team from Dublin. Together, we have lived and worked around the world, US, UK, Europe and most recently, Asia. We returned to Ireland with the dream of turning our passion for craft Irish spirits into a family business and set our sights on opening a whiskey and gin distillery in the west of Ireland. When we visited the old mill in Ahascragh, Co Galway, we fell for its story: the beautiful stonework, the history of the buildings and the character of the small village drew us in. Our plans had been brewing for a while, but the pandemic hastened our timeline when we found ourselves back home in Ireland in March 2020. Since then it has been full steam ahead. Two years later, we have completed the first phase of construction, transforming the old mill into a state-of-the-art distillery; launched 3 brands on national and international markets; and won numerous prestigious awards. Here’s to many more milestones and celebrations to come.
AHASCRAGH
“Little village in the West of Ireland called Ahascragh”. Ahascragh Distillery is located in a small countryside village in East Galway. Surrounded by expansive boglands, rivers and unspoiled scenery, Ahascragh is a peaceful village. Just outside Ballinasloe town, the distillery is near the Wild Atlantic Way, a coastline route that attracted over 3.5 million visitors in 2018. Ballinasloe is an important commuter town and a key stop for those travelling from Dublin to the west coast. In 2019 there were over one million visitors to Irish whiskey distilleries across the island of Ireland, generating positive economic returns for rural Ireland. The restoration and construction of the old mill has given a jobs boost to the local economy with the creation of full-time sustainable jobs in the long-term. The distillery has provided 20 direct jobs. It will also support a further 60-70 indirect jobs through local supply chains. The project is currently supporting 30 plus jobs in construction. This distillery will breathe new life into the village of Ahascragh and townlands of East Galway, creating lasting local employment and a cultural legacy for these communities.
AHASCRAGH MILLS
We came across the old Ahascragh Mills online while living in Hong Kong. We were blown away by the beautiful stonework and country setting. We hadn’t thought much more about it until we were heading to a meeting in Galway and decided to take a little detour. As we pulled into the little village, we instantly knew we had found something special. Ahascragh Mill dates back to the early 1800s and up until the 1950s processed grain into flour. Located in the heart of the village and steeped in history, the mill complex has remained derelict for the past 70 years. We are currently collecting stories, memories and photos of the old mill from locals. Our visitor centre will include a permanent exhibition of the salvaged mill equipment and will tell the story of the mill from past to present. Here’s to celebrating the mill and breathing new life into such a beautiful building.
WELCOME
Welcome to our Clan Investment Round 2023. We’re on a mission to make whiskey history in the West of Ireland. We have transformed an old mill into a state of the art craft distillery and visitor experience. With three brands on-sale and phase one of construction complete, we’re inviting people to join us on this very exciting journey. We will continue to keep you up-to-date on our progress and key milestones over the coming weeks. Feel free to reach out at invest@ahascraghdistillery.com and we will happily answer any questions you may have. We’re looking forward to sharing our vision with you and, hopefully, welcoming you to the Family.
Investments of this nature carry risk to your capital. You should take such independent advice as you deem appropriate. Please Invest Aware.