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Drinks News
Bold new look for Powers POWERS Irish Whiskey, which is made by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, has unveiled a bold new bottle design for its range of premium Irish whiskeys. The design features a new bottle shape, which has been inspired by the distinctive pot still silhouette from the brand’s historical home at John’s Lane Distillery. Another striking aspect of the new design is the label, which is styled on the iconic Powers ‘diamond P’, one of the first ever trademarks registered in Ireland and a link to the legacy of Powers and Irish whiskey history all over Ireland. In Ireland, Powers Three Swallow and Powers John’s Lane will be released in March 2020, with Powers Gold Label to be reviewed in due course. “We are excited to introduce this new look to the world and inspire a new generation with the unique history and personality of Powers,” said Conor McQuaid, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers.
Galway Bay Brewery launches new can range
GALWAY Bay Brewery, one of Ireland’s most established craft breweries, has kicked off the new year with the launch of a full range of canned beers. Galway Bay Brewery’s core range will now be available in 33cl cans, with all limited edition, seasonal, and collaborative brews available in 44cl cans. The core range includes Of Foam & Fury, a double IPA with big tropical fruit flavour, a bittersweet balance and complex flavour; Full Sail, a simple malt beer with light fruity sweetness upfront, hints of zesty orange and a piney dry finish; Bay Ale, a copper coloured, traditional ale with malt and hop aromas and a smooth and well-balanced flavour; Althea, a modern American Pale Ale which is low on bitterness, yet massively hoppy on the aroma; and Buried at Sea, a chocolate milk stout brewed with milk sugars and chocolate, which gives rich flavour and body, whilst retaining a lightness.
Ninth Wave wins gold at World Gin Awards NINTH Wave Gin, produced by Co. Down distillery, Hinch, was awarded a Gold Medal at the World Gin Awards, held in London in January. Ninth Wave is the craft work of Belfast-born Head Distiller Aaron Flaherty and his team, who have a wealth of experience working for some of Ireland and the UK’s bestknown spirit brands. “We are delighted to receive the Gold Award at the World Gin Awards. It marks the perfect start to what will be an exciting year for Hinch Distillery,” said Aaron Flaherty. Hinch Distillery has signed a distribution deal with Barry & Fitzwilliam, which will see a raised profile for its Ninth Wave Gin and Hinch Whiskey brands across the country. “We are delighted to be working with the Hinch team to bring these exceptional products to the Irish consumer,” said Michael Barry, MD of Barry and Fitzwilliam. “The Craft Hinch Irish Whiskey brands and Ninth Wave Gin are already firm favourites on the international stage and we are excited to be at the forefront with them in Ireland.”
PAT Rigney, the Managing Director and Founder of The Shed Distillery in Co. Leitrim, which makes Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, has been appointed Chair of Drinks Ireland|Spirits, the representative body responsible for promoting the interests of the Irish spirits industry. “Ireland’s spirits industry continues to go from strength to strength,” said Pat Rigney. “The value of spirits exports from Ireland increased by 10.2% between 2017 and 2018, from c916m to over €1 billion. We also have a dynamic domestic spirits market, driven by the growing popularity of premium spirits products like Irish whiskey and gin. Looking forward, we want to continue to drive this growth, but there are also a number of imminent issues ahead, including tariffs and Brexit.”
LUCOZADE Ribena Suntory Ireland Ltd is now an official distributor for Beam Suntory International, a world leader in premium spirits, in the Republic of Ireland. The distribution agreement is a first of its kind between the two companies, who are both part of the global Suntory Group. The strategic partnership will further strengthen and expand the position of Beam Suntory’s premium spirits portfolio in the Irish market. Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ireland Ltd will distribute Beam Suntory’s premium spirits portfolio, including iconic brands such as Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Courvoisier, Kilbeggan, Teacher’s, Roku Japanese Gin, and Sipsmith. “I am delighted that LRSI has become the official distributor of the Beam Suntory brands in Ireland,” said Mark Aherne, General Manager, Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ireland. “It is a very exciting opportunity for our company and we look forward to strengthening and expanding the position of Beam Suntory’s premium spirits portfolio in the Irish market.” Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ireland to distribute Beam Suntory spirits
Anna Daly launches MiWadi MiWay campaign TV star and mum of three, Anna Daly is teaming up with MiWadi to launch the MiWadi MiWay campaign and is calling on kids and adults across Ireland to create their own MiWadi flavour, using specially curated Emojis or ‘Mi-mojis’. As future tastemakers, MiWadi wants to empower kids across Ireland to explore their favourite flavours and open their imagination to all the delicious and delightful flavour combinations that they would like to try. To really get the creativity flowing, MiWadi is calling on kids and parents to complete their unique three fruit recipe with a unique name and flavoursome emoji combination. Anna is pictured with Ella Caulfield (aged 6) launching the MiWadi MiWay campaign.
BOD launches Guinness Six Nations cultural experiences GUINNESS has teamed up with Brian O’Driscoll to launch a number of exciting events throughout the duration of the Guinness Six Nations that spotlight some of the best cultural experiences on offer across each of the six nations. The experiences in Dublin include: hiking in Howth with Tommy Bowe and Thom Evans, a drop-goal competition with Ronan O’Gara and Shane Williams for Ireland v Wales; a Guinnesstronomie event on the day of the France v Ireland game, which will see well-known Irish and French chefs go head to head in a cook-off. Brian O’Driscoll, launched the experiences by highlighting the warm welcome that visitors from rival nations will experience in his home city of Dublin: “I am really looking forward to meeting up with friends over the next few weeks from across each of the six nations, many of whom were one time on-field rivals and are now firm friends.”
New General Manager at Coca-Cola HBC COCA-COLA Hellenic Bottling Company has appointed Miles Karemacher to the role of General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland. Miles will be responsible for driving the continued growth of the company and leading the 760-strong workforce across the island of Ireland. Miles replaces Matthieu Seguin, following his appointment to the role of General Manager for Coca-Cola HBC’s Nigerian Bottling Company. Miles joins the Irish business from Coca Cola HBC Italy where he, as Commercial Excellence Director, played an integral role in delivering sustainable revenue growth and profit; expanding the portfolio and reshaping the price and pack strategy in response to consumer and customer needs. During his time in Italy, he also successfully led the acquisition of Lurisia, a premium natural mineral water and adult sparkling beverages business.
Spirits groups tackle Brexit ON January 31, 2020, the day of Brexit and ahead of the Six Nations match between Ireland and Scotland, Drinks Ireland|Spirits hosted the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) in Dublin for their annual bilateral meeting, which was dominated by the challenges and opportunities faced by industries in both countries post-Brexit. Brexit offers opportunities for Irish industry, as Irish whiskey will now be the EU’s largest whiskey category, with the potential to grow in both new and established markets in the EU and in third countries that have trade deals with the EU. Given increased trade disruption, both organisations have agreed to greater cooperation to bolster more open trade for Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey and Irish spirits around the world.
