Amber Beverage Group plans €35m investment in new Irish whiskey distillery

Pending planning approval the new distillery aims to begin construction in late 2024

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) plans to invest €35 million in the construction of a major Irish whiskey distillery, subject to planning permission. The distillery, known as the Walsh Whiskey Distillery at Dunleckney, will serve as the brand home for ABG’s whiskeys, Writers’ Tears and The Irishman. Exporting more than 50 countries, the distillery aims to reach a production capacity of four million LPAs annually and will support ABG’s long-term whiskey maturation plans.

ABG’s investment solidifies its commitment to becoming a major player in the global Irish whiskey market. The market reached $4.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to $7.5 billion by 2028, with a forecasted growth rate (CAGR) of 7.44% from 2023 to 2028*.

Pending planning approval, the new Walsh Whiskey Distillery at Dunleckney, County Carlow, aims to begin construction in late 2024. The process will take around 18 months, with the distillery expected to be commissioned in 2026.

Jekaterina Stuge, chief executive officer, Amber Beverage Group, said: “In keeping with our growth ambitions as a rapidly growing global spirits company, once commissioned our distillery will enable ABG to become one of the major global producers of Irish whiskey and to leverage the exceptional growth the category is predicted to continue to experience for the foreseeable future.

“We will preserve the heritage of the historic site at Dunleckney, while introducing high-end production capabilities, married with a modern design to excite the senses of visitors to what will become a leading distillery and brand home for our whiskeys.”

Bernard Walsh, founder and managing director, Walsh Whiskey, said: “ Milled corn, beer, and malted grain have all been produced at this site, so whiskey is a natural progression. Our immediate focus will be on producing pot still and single malt whiskeys in traditional copper pots.”