When you think of an Irish whiskey story, you might imagine centuries-old distilleries set among rolling green hills. But for one Irishman who once sat behind a London trading desk, the journey to whiskey greatness took a much less traditional route: from high-stakes finance to a Colorado distillery parking lot and, finally, to a new home in Dripping Springs.
For years, Aidan Mehigan worked as a trader in London, making fast-paced decisions on stocks and markets. But behind the tailored suits and glowing monitors, an entrepreneurial spirit tugged at him. As an Irishman who also happened to be an avid bourbon drinker, he found himself uninspired by the Irish whiskey options available. “Irish whiskey was either a place name or a surname,” Mehigan recalls. “Midelton or Jameson. But it never really spoke to me from a brand or a flavor perspective. It was not bold enough in either sense.”
So in 2018, he made a daring decision to walk away from finance and pour himself into creating something that was truly his own.
The transition from stocks to spirits wasn’t immediate. First, there was a period of exploration, research, and a lot of knocking on doors. A chance meeting in a Colorado parking lot with Jordan Via, master distiller at Breckenridge Distillery, proved to be the turning point. Via didn’t just share advice; he also offered Mehigan a job.
Suddenly, the former trader was working double shifts on the distillery floor, learning the craft of American whiskey production from the ground up. For a month, he immersed himself in mash bills, char levels, and barrel aging, drinking up knowledge as fast as he could. The experience laid the foundation for what would become Natterjack Irish Whiskey, launched in 2019.
The vision was clear: combine Irish whiskey's smoothness with bold American bourbon techniques to create something new.
Natterjack is far from another cookie-cutter Irish whiskey. It begins with a three-and-a-half-year rest in ex-bourbon barrels, followed by a unique finish in virgin American oak casks. It’s in that second stage that the whiskey finds its distinct character.
The result is a spirit layered with complexity: light tobacco notes, chewy oils and toffee, and a silky finish balanced by lemon blossom honey. “The virgin American oak is where the magic happens,” Mehigan explains. “It gives Natterjack its personality.”
That personality extends to the branding. On every bottle is a distinctive toad, the natterjack. Indigenous to Ireland, it stands apart from other species, much like the whiskey itself. The creature isn’t just a mascot; it’s a symbol of individuality and a nod to the brand’s mission of carving out its own path in a crowded market.
Launching a brand in 2019 came with challenges. When the coronavirus pandemic struck, global distribution and marketing plans were thrown out the window. Still, Mehigan persevered, determined to grow Natterjack into something that could stand on the international stage.
In February 2023, he and his family packed up their lives in Ireland and moved to Texas, with a very deliberate choice of hometown: Dripping Springs. “We knew we wanted to live in Texas,” Mehigan says. “My wife, Faye, wanted sunshine, outdoor space, and cowboys. We rolled out a map, saw the name Dripping Springs, and she said, ‘That’s the place.’”
The choice turned out to be serendipitous. The community welcomed them warmly, and the local market embraced Natterjack. From shelves at Spec’s and Mad Rooster's to bars like FairLane Cocktails and Coffee, the whiskey quickly found loyal fans. “The reaction in Drip has been amazing,” Mehigan notes. “Our story has resonated so well. The idea that people move from Ireland to Dripping Springs is really cool, and the folks here have gotten behind that.”
For Mehigan, Dripping Springs offered more than just a business hub. It also offered a family-friendly way of life. “When you move your family halfway around the world to sell whiskey, community is really important,” he reflects. “We love the warm welcome in every restaurant. Plus, the prevalence of playgrounds at breweries means we go everywhere as a family. It’s amazing. And the kids love it too.”
From a strategic standpoint, Dripping Springs also makes sense. “We’re in the heart of the country. New York is three hours away, and so is L.A. I can do all my travel and still be home at bedtime,” Mehigan says.
Fast forward to today, and the bold experiment has paid off. Natterjack is now available in 24 U.S. states through retail and direct-to-consumer channels. Internationally, the whiskey can be found in 19 countries on four continents.
For a man who once lived in the high-stakes world of trading floors, the pivot to whiskey might seem improbable. But for Mehigan, it’s always been about creating something authentic that carries his identity and spirit in every sip. “I wanted to build something. And actually build it myself from nothing,” he says. With Natterjack, he’s done exactly that.
Natterjack.com | @natterjackirishwhiskey
“When you move your family halfway around the world to sell whiskey, community is really important. We’ve found that here in Dripping Springs.” - Aidan Mehigan