Irish Mist, the historic Irish whiskey liqueur first produced in 1947, has returned to Irish ownership following its acquisition from US drinks group Heaven Hill Brands by Dublin-based Old Canal Quay Spirits.
The company was recently established by Irish drinks industry entrepreneur David Phelan, who will oversee the future development of the brand alongside a group of investors and industry figures, including Pat Rigney, Founder of The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney; Dublin publican Tom Cleary; and John Dunn, Managing Director of US-based Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing.
The deal also marks a return to familiar territory for Phelan, whose association with Irish Mist stretches back more than four decades.
In a LinkedIn post announcing the acquisition, Phelan recalled first working on Irish Mist in 1985 during his role as an area manager in Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
He said he was “delighted and privileged” to be part of the new team charged with reinvigorating and renewing the brand.
Phelan and Rigney have a long association both with Irish Mist and with the wider Irish spirits industry. The pair worked on the development of Irish Mist following its acquisition by C&C in the 1980s and later went into business together.
In 1998, they established Roaring Water Bay Spirits Company and developed a portfolio of Irish drinks brands, including Boru Vodka. The business subsequently became part of Castle Brands, which was publicly listed in the USA.
The new ownership group brings experience across drinks production, brand development, the licensed trade and international distribution.
Rigney is the Founder of The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, best known as the home of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, while Cleary owns Dublin’s renowned Temple Bar pub and The Whiskey Reserve.
Dunn heads Atlanta-based Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine Marketing, which will play a key role in Irish Mist’s development in the USA, the liqueur’s largest international market.
Irish Mist is regarded as Ireland’s original Irish whiskey liqueur, made from a blend of aged Irish whiskey, honey, herbs and spices.
Phelan said on LinkedIn that the group believed strongly in the opportunity for Irish Mist, which sits at the intersection of Irish whiskey and speciality flavour innovation in whiskey.
The acquisition brings the brand back under Irish ownership after a number of changes of ownership during its history.
Also in his post, Phelan thanked Heaven Hill and its team for their support throughout the transaction and for entrusting the new ownership group with the future development of Irish Mist. ✈
