Saronno says its investment will allow Walsh Whiskey to embark on a €25million expansion programme. The new distillery will have capacity for 400,000 cases annually and the aim is to build a stock of aged whiskeys by increasing warehouse capacity to 1.9 million 9-litre cases.
The Walsh Whiskey Distillery distribution network will be expanded with a view to raising exports from 30 to more than 100 countries, including India and China.
Walsh Whiskey Distillery is described as one of a few independent producers of triple-distilled, branded, Irish whiskey with a guaranteed supply to the growing global market.
Illva Saronno Holdings SpA, is a leading Italian wine and spirits company.
Illva Saronno CEO Augusto Reina, said: “We are extremely delighted to announce the partnership with Walsh Whiskey Distillery today. With this investment, not only will Illva gain production capacity and expertise in a fast growing sector such as that of Irish whiskey - which is already showing remarkable growth rates and is expected to grow up to 12 million cases within the next five years – but it will also enable Walsh Whiskey Distillery to lean on Illva as a leading business developer both in Italy and abroad.”
Walsh was founded in 1999 by husband and wife, Bernard and Rosemary Walsh from Carlow. Over 14 years they have built a range of international drinks brands including a portfolio of six premium Irish whiskeys under The Irishman and Writers Tears brands, the Hot Irishman Irish coffee and the Irishman Irish Cream liqueur.
