Luxco, a US spirits firm, has announced that it has acquired a controlling stake in Niche Drinks, a maker of whiskey and liqueur based in Northern Ireland.
Founded in 1983 and with a manufacturing site in the city of Derry, Niche Drinks produces a range of cream liqueurs, whiskeys and ready to drink cocktails for retail customers in Ireland, the UK, the USA and Europe, as well as marketing products under its own brands such as Shannon’s and Tipples.
As part of an existing partnership arrangement, Niche Drinks produces Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream for Luxco, while the two firms also collaborate on the global whiskey brand The Quiet Man. The companies saidthat future plans included building an Irish whiskey distillery in Derry’s Ebrington Square.
Commeenting on the move, Niche Drinks managing director Ciaran Mulgrew said: “Luxco has impressive distillery experience, having built Lux Row Distillers and partnered with Limestone Branch Distillery, both in Kentucky; and is nearing completion of a tequila distillery in Arandas, Mexico. This experience will be a tremendous asset as we proceed with The Quiet Man Craft Distillery at Ebrington Square”.
Luxco chairman and CEO Donn Lux added: “This is a very exciting time for Luxco and Niche. We have worked closely with Ciaran and his team for more than 30 years, spending a lot of time in Derry over that time, so it is great to welcome everyone at Niche Drinks into the Luxco family”.
Source: Luxco (via Businesswire) / Niche Drinks