Halewood Group acquires 50% stake in The Pogues Irish Whiskey

Halewood International, the UK’s leading independent drinks manufacturer and distributor, has today announced the Halewood Group’s purchase of a 50% stake in The Pogues Irish Whiskey.

The deal was struck with the legendary Irish band, The Pogues, whose members Shane MacGowan, Jem Finer, Andrew Ranken, Spider Stacy, James Fearnley, Terry Woods, and Darryl Hunt retain ownership of the remaining 50% of the brand. The sale was completed in February 2016.

West Cork Distillers, one of only two independently owned and operated distilleries in Ireland, developed The Pogues Irish Whiskey in 2015. While West Cork Distillers continues to hold global distribution rights, it has awarded Halewood distribution rights for Halewood core markets, including UK, RSA, Romania, China and Global Travel Retail.

The Pogues Irish Whiskey is a unique blend of 50% 10-year single malt Irish whiskey aged in sherry oak casks and seven year old single malt Irish whiskey aged in bourbon oak casks and 50% four year Irish grain whiskey aged in bourbon oak casks. The liquid has an aroma of malts and cracked nuts, with a sweet taste and a smooth, intense flavour. Notably, West Cork is Ireland’s only whiskey producer to malt its own barley, enabling exceptional precision and control over flavour profile. It is distilled using ingredients indigenous to Ireland, including locally grown grain and spring water from the idyllic River Ilen. It’s carefully crafted in small batches in handmade copper stills at West Cork’s distillery in Skibbereen, the cultural home of Irish whiskey.

Commenting on the acquisition of The Pogues Irish Whiskey, Halewood International Group Chief Executive Officer, Stewart Hainsworth said: “This acquisition further strengthens our close partnership with West Cork Distillers. We already distribute the West Cork Irish Whiskey brand range in the UK and throughout our network and West Cork Distillers distribute Halewood brands in Eire. The Pogues Irish Whiskey is a premium whiskey that adds its own distinct, rebellious character to our spirits portfolio.”

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