Dà Mhìle Distillery

History

• Glynhynod Farm has been owned and operated by the Savage-Onstwedder family since July 1981.

• The family moved from Holland to Wales and began with Caws Teifi Cheese (from 1982) – a raw-milk cheese produced on the farm.

• In 1992, John Savage-Onstwedder enabled organic whisky by getting Springbank to produce a whisky, which established Dà Mhìle and created the first modern organic whisky.

• An extra batch of whisky was ordered from Loch Lomond in 2000.

• In 2012 the distillery on the farm opened, making it possible not only to continue whisky production but also to expand to other organic spirits such as Dark Skies Rum and Seaweed Gin.

• The name Dà Mhìle stems from the first bottling made for the millennium celebration (Dà Mhìle means “two thousand”). The John-Savage-Onstwedder family and their sons John-James and Robert run the production today with a focus on fresh, artisanal whisky and other organic spirits.

Production

• Dà Mhìle uses a distillation apparatus called Ceridwen, a European-style still with a rectification column, which allows multiple distillation passes in one run.

• The still is heated exclusively by steam generated from wood felled on the farm; when a tree falls, a new one is planted, providing a nearly carbon-neutral way to heat the still.

• The distillation process starts by filling the still with the alcohol to be produced, after which herbs/flavourings/flavour enhancers are added and macerated overnight. The next morning the fire is lit and distillation begins.

• The alcohol vapour rises through the rectification column and down through water, where the columns function as several small distillation units, defining how strongly the spirit is distilled.

• After passing through the tower the alcohol goes to the condenser and becomes liquid again, with a maximum strength of around 94% and appearing crystal clear.

• Production is focused on extracting full flavor by careful running of the still.

• Organic principles are central: all ingredients are organic (barley, apples, juniper, molasses, oranges, etc.) and the spirits are certified by the Soil Association, which ensures traceability from farm to glass.

• The Private Casks section indicates an annual capacity of only 100 casks, which limits how many yearly cask commissions can be taken and can trigger a waitlist for the coming year's production.

Whisky Products

• Single Malt Welsh Whisky – 2025 Release – Barrique de Muscat – from £9.00

• Single Malt Welsh Whisky – 2025 Release – Sherry Hogshead – from £9.00

• Single Malt Welsh Whisky – 2024 Release – Tokaji Cask – from £9.00

• Single Malt Welsh Whisky – 2024 Release – Madeira Cask – from £9.00

• Single Grain Welsh Whisky – 2024 Release – from £9.00

• 2018 Single Grain Welsh Whisky – from £18.00

• Single Malt 16 Year Old (2016 bottling) – £250.00 (limited quantity)

• Single Grain 6 Year Old (2006 bottling) – £25.00

• Blended Scotch Whisky – 2004 – £450.00

• Single Malt “American Edition” Scotch Whisky – 1992 – £600.00

• Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 1992 – £550.00

• “Wedding Edition” Whisky – £450.00

• “Newborn” Whisky – £710.00

• “Lost and Found” Whisky – £7,500.00 (limited quantity, 3 available)

• Millennium Cask Reserve – 20 Year Old Dà Mhìle Single Grain Scotch Whisky – £160.00

• Other existing whisky variants mentioned for purchase in the shop include additional 2018/2024/2025 releases and special editions listed in the range.

Events and News

• Glynhynod Talk and Tasting: Today’s event in the 17th-century gallery with a short talk about the farm, the businesses and the history; followed by a tasting of cheese from Caws Teifi and either gin/rum or whisky (the number of whisky tastings depends on availability). Price: £15 (gin & rum) and £25 (whisky); option for included Welsh rarebit lunch (£25 for gin & rum, £35 for whisky).

• Advent Calendar: 12 Days of Christmas online offers, December 1–12 (online only). Each offer is unique and valid while stocks last; one code per order.

• Markets and Events: Dà Mhìle participates in local farmers’ markets and food festivals; on-farm events focused on learning and celebration. Examples of past events include Tan a Mwg Feast (2019) and Glynhynod Christmas Market (2019).

• Charity and Community Responsibility: The farm supports local charitable causes; 10p from every bottle of gin sold via the website goes to the Centre for Alternative Technology.

Company Philosophy and Values

• Organic focus and environmental responsibility are central: regenerative organic farming is practiced, and all equipment and ingredients are organic.

• Quality, craftsmanship, and innovation: Welsh craft and a focus on tasty, environmentally friendly products; Soil Association certification ensures full traceability from farm to glass.

• Education and community: the original mission was to educate about organic farming, craft, and food/drink production; the farm hosts events and school-like experiences for visitors.

• Family-owned and long-term planning: the distillery is now run by Patrice and John’s two sons, John-James and Robert, who continue the heritage and expansion with high quality and sustainability.