Killarney Distillery, which is a part of Torc Brewing Company, celebrated this summer’s local grain harvest with a gathering at the distillery/brewery on Saturday.

There was plenty of local food, beer, music and other products made by Torc Brewing Company; Torc beer, Killarney Coffee Roasters and Killarney Artisan Chocolates.

“It was a fantastic afternoon with amazing offerings from local businesses; The Hungry Donkey, Muckross Creamery and Rí-Rá Killarney," said Manager Triona Keane. "We want to thank everyone who joined us on the day and also thank our local farmers, as their successful harvest made the celebration possible.”

Barley and oats from the 2021 harvest were grown locally on varying soil types at Knockacullig, Ballyhar, Grenagh, Fossa, Dromin and Gortroe. The grain recently harvested will be stored, floor malted, brewed and distilled separately so as to allow for a series of single farm, single harvest whisky releases. In some, local turf will be used to produce a peated spirit which will then be matured in sweet white wine casks from the south of France and in casks of local oak, manufactured in Killarney. About a kilo of grain goes into a bottle of Killarney Whisky so a ton of local grain will produce one thousand bottles of local whisky.

“We are working to produce high quality provenance-driven spirits," John Keane, Owner and Head Distiller, said. "The coming months will be exciting with further whisky terroir projects at the distillery and with the release of a new range of unaged spirits including Distillery’s Irish Rye Vodka.”

Killarney Distillery is the first whisky distillery in Kerry since Dingle Distillery in 2012. The first cask of Killarney Whisky was filled in December 2020 and will be released in December 2023. This distillery is part of a wider whisky region concept on County Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula. The project is inspired by the island of Islay off the coast of Scotland. Follow along on social media channels for all the latest projects and news.