With Irish whiskey proving a global smash, Hamish Smith looks into the growth plans of the big four players

Georgetown Trading is looking for new Irish whiskey suppliers for its John L Sullivan brand following Beam’s decision not to renew contracts between Cooley Distillery and third-party brands.

Jack Teeling has left his position as managing director of Cooley Distillery, just months after its sale to Beam, to set up an independent Irish whiskey company.

Following its €95m purchase of Cooley Distillery, Beam will phase out the supply of third-party brands to concentrate on building its core Irish whiskeys: Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell, Connemara and Greenore.

Beam Inc has announced an agreement to purchase Irish whiskey producer Cooley Distillery.