Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has signalled its intention to become one of the major global producers of Irish whiskey.
The company said late last week that it plans to invest “up to €35 million in the construction of one of the largest distilleries in the category”.
Walsh Whiskey Distillery at Dunleckney will become the brand home for Writers’ Tears and The Irishman. The intention is that the distillery will be capable of reaching a production capacity of four million litres of pure alcohol, annually. The distillery’s capacity will facilitate ABG’s plans to lay down “significant reserves of maturing whiskey” over the long term.
Subject to planning approval, the new Walsh Whiskey Distillery at Dunleckney will be located on an 18th century site by the banks of the River Barrow in County Carlow (pictured). The company hopes to start construction of the distillery in 2024 and it estimates the distillery will be up and running in 2026.
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.
“We will preserve the heritage of the historic site at Dunleckney, while introducing high-end production capabilities, married with a modern design to excite the senses of visitors to what will become a leading distillery and brand home for our whiskeys.”
