Amber Beverage Group (ABG) is set to invest €35m ($37.1m) in a new Irish whiskey distillery for its Walsh Whiskey brand.
The distillery at Dunleckney in Ireland will become “one of the largest distilleries in the category”, according to the drinks group.
Walsh Whiskey Distillery will become the brand home for ABG’s two whiskeys –Writers’ Tears and The Irishman – which are exported to over 50 countries worldwide.
ABG hopes the Irish distillery will be capable of reaching a production capacity of four million litres of pure alcohol (LPAs) annually, also being able to lay down “significant amounts” of maturing whiskey for the long term, the group wrote in a statement.
Jekaterina Stuge, CEO Of Amber Beverage Group, said: “This is ABG’s second major investment in the fast-growing Irish whiskey category following our acquisition of Walsh Whiskey and its super-premium Irish whiskey brands, Writers’ Tears and The Irishman, in 2021.
“In keeping with our growth ambitions as a rapidly growing global spirits company, once commissioned our distillery will enable ABG to become one of the major global producers of Irish whiskey and to leverage the exceptional growth the category is predicted to continue to experience for the foreseeable future.”
Construction is set to begin in the new year and should last around 18 months.
Bernard Walsh, founder and managing director of Walsh Whiskey, said: “Located in the heart of Ireland’s barley growing region, with its own supply of natural water, the 18th-century riverside location of Dunleckney has been a special location for producing drink and food since the 1700s.
“Milled corn, beer, and malted grain have all been produced at this site, so whiskey is a natural progression. Our immediate focus will be on producing pot still and single malt whiskeys in traditional copper pots.”
ABG – which is owned by, but operates independently of, Stoli Group – owns other spirit brands such as Moskovskaya Vodka, Rooster Rojo Tequila and Cross Keys Gin, among others.
According to its website, the group produces circa 17.4m nine-litre cases and generates €366m in revenue per year.
