Belfast Distillery Company clinches Polish distribution deal

The company behind plans for a £20m distillery in north Belfast has secured a distribution deal in Poland.

Belfast Distillery Company’s link-up with Navigator Spirit Depot will see it export McConnell’s Irish Whisky to the Eastern European country.

The whiskey maker, now backed by US investment, is planning to open a state-of-the-art development and tourist facility at the historic Crumlin Road Gaol.

The multi-million-pound venture was first mooted by lottery winner Peter Lavery in 2012.

Chief executive John Kelly said the Poland deal is the latest in the company’s expanding international distribution network.

“We have now secured a long-term partnership with Navigator – Spirit Depot in Poland and I am very impressed by their knowledge, trade relationship and passion for quality product.

“We are thrilled to partner with them in Poland.”

Grzegorz Suroweiecki from the Polish distributor, said: “We have seen the growth of the Irish whiskey category over the last number of years and wanted to find the right strategic relationship.

“We are confident that we have done just that through our partnership with Belfast Distillery Company and McConnell’s Irish Whisky.”

McConnell’s, which dates back to 1776, has been revived as a brand by the Belfast Distillery Company, recently winning a gold medal at the Warsaw Spirits Competition for its five-year-old blend.