Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is a subsidiary of the French drinks conglomerate Pernod Ricard. It is the largest producer of Irish whiskey in the world. The company was formed in 1966 through the merger of three of the oldest whiskey distilleries in Ireland: John Jameson & Son, Powers & Sons, and Cork Distilleries Company.

History

The formation of Irish Distillers was a strategic move to consolidate the Irish whiskey industry, which was facing significant challenges from the dominance of Scotch whisky and the rise of American whiskey. The merger aimed to pool resources and expertise to revitalize the industry.

In 1988, Irish Distillers was acquired by Pernod Ricard, which provided the company with the financial backing and global distribution network needed to expand its market presence.

Brands

Irish Distillers produces several well-known brands of Irish whiskey, including:

• Jameson Irish Whiskey
• Powers Gold Label
• Redbreast
• Green Spot
• Midleton Very Rare

Distilleries

Irish Distillers operates several distilleries in Ireland, including:

• Midleton Distillery in County Cork, which is the main production site and home to the company's headquarters.
• Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin, which now serves as a visitor center and museum.

Production Process

The production of Irish whiskey by Irish Distillers follows traditional methods, including triple distillation in copper pot stills, which is a distinctive feature of Irish whiskey. The company also uses a combination of malted and unmalted barley in its mash bill.

Market and Distribution

Irish Distillers has a significant share of the global Irish whiskey market. The company's products are distributed worldwide, benefiting from Pernod Ricard's extensive distribution network.

See Also

• Irish whiskey
• Pernod Ricard
• Scotch whisky
• American whiskey
• Midleton Distillery
• Jameson Irish Whiskey