Cold water poured on Hot Irishman

THE family firm that makes the Hot Irishman Irish coffee drink will have to rethink its entire export business to the US if the dollar continues to fall against the euro.

Carlow-based Hot Irishman exports close to 5,000 cases of its annual sales of 50,000 cases to the US.

The company founded by managing director Bernard Walsh and his wife Rosemary have targeted the US as a growth area but now worry about their business there. The decrease in the value of the dollar makes their product more expensive in the US.

“I am dreading January when we come to renegotiate contracts. If the dollar falls to as low as $1.50 to the euro we will have to examine the whole situation to see if it makes sense to be there.

“We need to make a profit and at that level it will be hard work. The US is as price sensitive as anywhere else,” said Mr Walsh.

The unique product which requires only the addition of boiling water and cream to make an Irish coffee has won critical acclaim and several awards since it was introduced.

The Hot Irishman won the Great Taste Award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and other awards in the US which has helped boost sales.

“The strength of sterling has helped offset the fall in the dollar for now, but things are looking very different from this out,” said Mr Walsh.

The product has also received exposure as a result of the findings of US Medical researchers, lead by Dr James Grotta, professor of neurology and director of stroke research at the University of Texas in Houston.

They believe they have found a successful treatment for stroke victims - based on the recipe for Irish Coffee. Stroke is caused by a clot which prevents blood from reaching the brain and is one of the single biggest killers behind cancer and heart disease.

The US researchers found an experimental drug, that mixes caffeine and alcohol, could limit the disability suffered by patients by 80%.