Irish Distillers confirm price increases days after Diageo hike

Jameson producer cites rising costs as it plans first price increase in over two years, adding to mounting pressure on pubs

Bottles of Jameson whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers Ltd. Photograph: Aidan Crawley/Bloomberg

One of Ireland’s leading suppliers of spirits and producer of some of the world’s most well-known Irish whiskeys has confirmed price hikes across a portion of its portfolio from next month.

Irish Distillers told the Irish Examiner that it was in the process of communicating price increases to its customers, which will mark the distiller's first price hike since August 2023. 

It comes just a day after Guinness-owner Diageo announced plans to increase prices of draught products to publicans by 7c, with punters set to face a 20c price increase.

In a statement, Irish Distillers said: "Like many businesses, we continue to operate in a dynamic cost environment. 

"As a result, we will be implementing a small increase across a portion of our portfolio from 22nd February 2026 – the first price increase since August 2023."

"We are in the process of communicating this change to our customers, and our sales teams will continue to engage with them directly. We would like to thank our customers for their continued support and understanding.”

Asked how much it will increase prices by, Irish Distillers said it "does not disclose commercially sensitive information."

Owned by Pernod Ricard, the world's second-largest Western spirits maker by revenue after Diageo, Irish Distillers produces Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Spot Whiskey, Method and Madness, and Powers Irish Whiskey. 

Its parent company, French drinks giant Pernod Ricard, also produces Absolut Vodka, Beefeater, Malibu and Havana Club, as well as over 200 other alcohol brands. 

Asked if the price increases will also apply to some Pernod Ricard brands, Irish Distillers told the Irish Examiner: "Our portfolio in Ireland consists of Pernod Ricard brands, and the price increase applies across some of those brands."

A selection of Midleton Very Rare, which is one of the many brands produced by Irish Distillers. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)

The price hike will mark another challenge for Irish publicans who, this week, have already hit out at Diageo's price increases, which they say will pile pressure on pubs "already struggling to survive."

Irish publicans have also warned that price hikes will likely have to be passed on to consumers due to the industry's razor-thin margins.

It remains to be seen if Heineken, the producer of Cork stouts Murphys and Beamish, will follow their rivals with a price increase.

Global sales of Irish Distillers' portfolio of whiskeys grew by 2% in 2025 following strong growth in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. 

Jameson, the world’s best-selling Irish whiskey, saw net sales grow by 3% globally in the financial year ending in June 2025, with double-digit net sales growth in India, Japan, and South-East Asia, Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, and Turkey.

Pernod Ricard reported sales of just under €11bn in the 12 months to June 2025, with profits from recurring operations totalling just under €3bn.