Situated directly on Kerry’s wild Atlantic coastline in the town of Cahersiveen, the Skellig Six18 Distillery takes its name from the number of steps needed to reach the summit of the legendary island. The six hundred & 18 steep stone steps on Skellig Michael were carved into its rockface in the 6th century by monks as a route to their monastery, that was built at the edge of the world.
Skellig Six18 Distillery came to be after a group of people with deep connections to Cahersiveen. Inspired by the grit, resilience and muinín (the Irish word for a mindset of calm assured confidence) of both the monks of Skellig Michael and the people of South Kerry, they decided to return home and pursue a vision of opening a distillery and establishing a global brand.
Skellig Six18 Gin is an artisan, premium, handcrafted gin, distilled in small batches at the distillery in Cahersiveen, County Kerry. The Skellig Coast has a landscape rich with natural ingredients from the woodland to the Atlantic seashore. Crafted in collaboration with sea foragers, land foragers, chefs and fishermen a range of local botanical ingredients were selected for the gin.
With a total of ten botanicals, the defining aromatics of the Skellig Six18 Gin include local botanicals Yarrow, Douglas Fir needles and Birch Sap, which deliver a herbaceous gin with citrus and grapefruit notes. The complex liquid, rich in flavour and depth, pairs beautifully with a variety of foods.
Guided tours of the Skellig Six18 Distillery reveal the process behind the special recipe, rooted in the surrounding landscape. During a tour, there is a chance to enjoy a gin and whiskey tasting experience and take a moment to savour the taste of the Skellig Coast, characterised by its stunning mountain to sea landscapes and views.