Pernod Ricard USA and Irish Distillers, the world’s leading producer of Irish Whiskey, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the continued global growth of the Irish Whiskey category as it opened the doors of its Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork and officially welcomed a new Master Distiller to the helm at the Housewarming event this week.
Friends from across the globe gathered with Irish Distillers’ new Master Distiller Brian Nation to celebrate as the company unveiled the expansion of its famed Midleton Distillery and showcase the new Garden Still House.
Nation, trained under the keen eye of recently retired and renowned Master Distiller, Barry Crockett, now oversees the entire production process from brewing to distillation and bears responsibility for maintaining the superior quality of all whiskies produced at Midleton. At the event, Nation welcomed guests and led them through an afternoon of activities and festivities, including tastings of the company’s comprehensive range of whiskeys.
The Housewarming also marks the release of Irish Distillers’ full Irish whiskey portfolio into the US market – particularly the entire single pot still range which had not been previously available. The event allowed guests to get a better understanding of this full range of whiskeys including Jameson, Powers, and the Single Pot Still whiskey brands, Redbreast, Green Spot, Yellow Spot and Midleton.
Paul Di Vito, VP Irish Whiskey for Pernod Ricard USA, said, “This is a very exciting time for our extensive portfolio of Irish whiskies and for this category around the world – particularly in the US.”
Irish Distillers Group was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the board of directors decided to close the existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin, and to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility. A site alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork was chosen as the location for the new distillery, as there was no room for expansion in Dublin. Both the Old Jameson Distillery and the Old Midelton Distillery currently operate as visitor centres attracting over 330,000 visitors annually. Following an early unsolicited takeover offer and one of the most protracted battles in Irish corporate history made by GrandMet, Allied-Lyons and Guinness, Irish Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 with the support of the management and employees. Irish whiskey brands within the Irish Distillers’ portfolio include Jameson, Paddy and Powers, with Single Pot Still brands, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Redbreast and the much-revered Midleton, which includes prestigious expressions such as Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare.
