Founders of Ahascragh Distillery Gareth and Michelle McAllister this week welcomed Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, along with representatives from the Irish Whiskey Association to its state-of-the-art premises for a special visit highlighting the distillery’s commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation in the drinks industry.
Ahascragh Distillery is a producer of premium spirits and is Ireland’s first zero energy emissions distillery. The visit provided the opportunity to discuss the future of sustainable practices in the distilling industry and to demonstrate Ahascragh Distillery's leadership in this area.
Minister Hackett praised the distillery’s efforts. “It was a real pleasure to visit Ahascragh Distillery on the first anniversary of their opening," she said. "Whiskey is distilled on-site using only renewable energy sources, and this innovative approach has seen the distillery certified by the SEAI as a zero energy emissions facility.
"Ahascragh Distillery is a great example of some of the excellent work being done in the Irish whiskey sector to reduce emissions, and I really commend the leadership they’re showing in working closely with the rest of the sector to share their very positive experience of embracing renewable energy at scale.”
Sustainability commitments
From its inception, Ahascragh Distillery has been driven by an ambition to decarbonise the energy source for the distilling industry. The distillery aims to maintain zero energy emissions through a novel means of thermal storage, combined with optimal heat recovery, recycling energy that would normally go unused. The innovative system reaches temperatures above 115° - which is a first in Ireland and the UK. This allows the distillery to achieve a saving of 706 tonnes of CO2 per year with a 40 per cent reduction in cost over an expected lifetime of 20 years.
Water input and output is closely monitored in the distillery, utilising two on-site wells to provide consistent water supply. The fully automated plant, featuring a clean-in-place system, sets Ahascragh Distillery apart in the industry. This system not only measures water usage but also minimises it through automation. Waste reduction measures are also in place including delivering spent grain to local farms as livestock feed.
The Irish Whiskey Association also commended the distillery’s innovations. “Ahascragh Distillery is at the forefront of environmental stewardship in our thriving whiskey sector,” said Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the Irish Whiskey Association.
“Their initiatives not only enhance the sustainability of our industry but also encourage other whiskey distilleries as our sector works towards carbon emission reduction and continues along our sustainability journey. As a relatively new business, their achievements to date are certainly impressive and we are proud to support and showcase their efforts.”
Gareth McAllister, Founder of Ahascragh Distillery, expressed his gratitude for the visit and reiterated the distillery’s commitment to sustainability. “We were honoured to host Minister Hackett and the Irish Whiskey Association," he said. "At Ahascragh Distillery, we believe that our responsibility goes beyond producing exceptional spirits. We are dedicated to pioneering sustainable practices that protect our environment and ensure a legacy of quality for future generations. This visit reinforces our commitment to these values.”
For more information visit https://ahascraghdistillery.com or follow @ahascraghspirit on social.
