Irish Distillers to take over distribution of premium brand whiskey Redbreast

IRISH DISTILLERS is to take over the distribution of premium whiskey Redbreast, it was announced yesterday.

The company, which produces Jameson, Paddy and Powers, said yesterday that current distributor Edward Dillon had agreed to transfer responsibility for distribution to Irish Distillers. Irish Distillers already looks after distribution of the brand on international markets.

The announcement came just weeks after Irish Distillers offloaded its Bushmills brand to Guinness owner Diageo for almost €300 million. Edward Dillon managing director John Pearson said the decision was made after a review of its portfolio and its long-term strategic objectives. "We are proud to have represented Redbreast, which now transfers in good health to Irish Distillers," he said. Edward Dillon, which currently distributes well-known international brands such as Bacardi rum, Hennessy cognac and Jack Daniels whisky, handled Redbreast for the last ten years.

Irish Distillers managing director Paul Duffy said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to reintegrate Redbreast into our Irish portfolio and acknowledge Edward Dillon's good stewardship and professional management of the brand."

Redbreast is considered a top specialist brand in the Irish whiskey market and has won several high-profile industry awards. A typical bottle retails for around €35 almost double the price of more mainstream brands.

Irish Distillers said last week that sales of Jameson whiskey were performing strongly, especially in America, where sales are growing by 20% per year. The company said Jameson was the fastest-growing whiskey in the world. It also said the worst appeared to be over in the Irish whiskey market, after sales slumped in recent years in response to a government-imposed hike in excise duties.