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Kerry Whiskey - 100% craft

Explore the Stories of the Whiskeys of County Kerry

From Dingle to Cahersiveen, Portmagee to Killarney, County Kerry has become home to a remarkable new generation of Irish whiskey makers. Discover the people, places and whiskeys shaping Kerry's modern whiskey story.

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Kerry Whiskey: A Story of its own

The Kingdom of Kerry is famous for mountains, Atlantic coastline, the Ring of Kerry, Killarney and the National Park, the Dingle Peninsula and Tralee. It's home to some of Ireland's most spectacular landscapes.

But there's another story developing across the county: Kerry Whiskey.

From established independent Kerry distilleries to creative whiskey makers and craft producers with deep connections to their home, Kerry has developed a distinctive whiskey scene that reflects the character of the place itself.

This isn't the story of one distillery.

It's the story of local people and their passion for Kerry Whiskey.

Who Makes Whiskey in Kerry?

Four names stand out when exploring the modern Kerry whiskey landscape.

Each has a different story, a different place and a different approach to Irish whiskey.

Explore Kerry Whiskey now!

Or book your private Kerry Whiskey Tasting with Kingdom Whiskey Experiences

Kerry Whiskey Distillery, Independent Bottlers, Whiskey Bonders

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Wayward Irish Spirits - Home of The Liberator Whiskey

Kerry Whiskey from the Lakeview Estate, Fossa, Killarney

​Based on the shores of Lough Leane, Wayward Irish Spirits masters the art of cask maturation to create it's range of The Liberator Irish Whiskey, Lakeview Single Estate Irish Whiskey and Kerry Way Whiskey. ​Starting in 2020, owners Maurice & Francesca O'Connell built a small craft business around premium whiskeys and the story of the O'Connell family in Kerry.​

Visit WaywardIrishSpirits.com

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Dingle Distillery

Kerry Whiskey Distillery on the Dingle Peninsula

Dingle Distillery was the first whiskey distillery in Kerry, starting production in 2012. Their story is the story of brewers, founding fathers, rural Ireland and the modern Irish craft whiskey revival.

Visit Dingledistillery.ie

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Skellig Six18 Distillery

Atlantic aged Kerry Whiskey from Cahersiveen on the Ring of Kerry

​In 2019, June O'Connell opened a gin distillery in her hometown Cahersiveen. Surrounded by the beautiful Skellig Coast region of the famous Ring of Kerry, she and her partners introduced atlantic aged whiskey shortly after. Named after iconic Skellig Michael, their whiskeys tell the stories of time, land and people.

Visit SkelligSix18Distillery.ie

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Portmagee Whiskey

Rare rum cask-aged whiskies, created by two brothers from Portmagee​

The village of Portmagee is a place of its own - one of the last villages on mainland Ireland before the coast drops into the Atlantic Ocean. It's home to John & James Murphy, who started in 2019 to tell the story of Portmagee, its history and heritage through whiskeys.

Visit PortmageeWhiskey.com

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Four Whiskey Makers - Four different Stories

Kerry whiskey isn't a single brand or a regional style. Currently, there are four different whiskey makers in County Kerry:

  • Wayward Irish Spirits

  • Skellig Six18 Distillery

  • Portmagee Whiskey

  • Dingle Distillery

Every whiskey maker leaves its unique footprint on the wider Irish Whiskey landscape, and tells its own story of people, place and flavour.

To visit a Kerry distillery tour helps you understand the story of one brand, exploring all four will give you the full picture. The best way to do this is an immersive private Kerry whiskey tasting with Kingdom Whiskey Experiences.

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The best Kerry Whiskey Experience

Where can you get the best taste of Kerry Whiskey?

 

You can visit a Kerry Distillery, learning about their story and spirits. Or order a Kerry whiskey flight in one of the many whiskey bars in Killarney, Tralee, Kenmare and Dingle.

But the best Kerry whiskey experience is a private tasting with Kingdom Whiskey Experiences. Bringing together the different producers gives visitors to the Kingdom the most immersive overview of local production. As a mobile service, we work with partner venues across the county, bringing the experience to a traditional pub near you.

Discover all our private whiskey tastings in Killarney, Tralee and Dingle now.

FAQ - Frequently asked Questions

What Irish Whiskey distilleries are in Kerry?

​There are four independent whiskey makers in Kerry. Not all of them are whiskey distilleries. While Dingle Distillery has been producing whiskey since 2012, Portmagee Whiskey is an independent bottler. Skellig Six18 sources whiskey as well, but ages every drop in their local microclimate at the Skellig Coast. The fourth producer is Wayward Irish Spirits, bonding premium whiskeys in their cask warehouse on the shores of Lough Leane outside Killarney National Park.

Can I visit a Kerry Whiskey Distillery?

Yes, you can visit Dingle Distillery and do a distillery tour. They are conveniently located on the Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula, just a 15-minute walk from Dingle town. You can also visit Skellig Six18 Distillery to see their gin distillation and learn about the production of their Atlantic-aged whiskey.

Is there a Killarney Distillery?

There used to be a Killarney Distillery outside town. Unfortunately, they had to close in 2025, but a new owner took over in 2026 with plans to reopen the Killarney Distillery for tours. 

Can I visit a distillery on my tour of the Ring of Kerry?

While there is no Ring of Kerry Distillery, you can visit two whiskey makers when touring the famous Ring of Kerry: Skellig Six18 Distillery in Cahersiveen and Portmagee Whiskey.

Is there a Dingle Distillery tour?

Absolutely, Dingle Distillery is open to visitors and offers multiple tours daily. Especially during the summer months, they can get very busy. Booking online is recommended before you visit Dingle Distillery in County Kerry.

What is the Portmagee Spirit of the Sea Experience?

The Portmagee Spirit of the Sea Experience is an immersive experience, showcasing the history of Portmagee, its people and heritage. Located at the unique Portmagee Domes, different experiences and Portmagee Whiskey tastings can be booked to get the most out of the visit.

Where is The Liberator Whiskey from?

The Liberator Whiskey is made by Wayward Irish Spirits on the Lakeview Estate in Fossa, just outside Killarney National Park, and on the Ring of Kerry. The Lakeview Estate is the private family estate of the O'Connell family in Kerry, owned by them for over 900 years.

Where can I taste Kerry Whiskey?

You can sample the different Kerry whiskeys at the distilleries, or in whiskey bars like Pig's Lane in Killarney or Falvey's in Killorglin. The best way to sample Kerry whiskey is with a private tasting. 

What is the best Kerry whiskey?

This is a subjective question. Depending on personal preferences, different people will give a different answer. The best way to find your favourite whiskey? Compare them all in a private tasting with Kingdom Whiskey Experiences.

Where can I buy Kerry Whiskey?

The different whiskeys made in the Kingdom are widely distributed across County Kerry, in many off-licenses nationwide, large online shops and at the major airports. For international distribution, for example, within the United States, Canada or Australia, check with each distillery individually.

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