The Pogues launch their own Irish whiskey

By Mathew Lyons

Published: 29 July, 2015

Legendary Irish band The Pogues have joined the select list of artists to have their own branded drink product. The group has collaborated with West Cork Distillers to create The Pogues Irish Whiskey.

The whiskey is a blend of grain and 50% single malt Irish whiskey. West Cork Distillers believes that makes it the blended Irish whiskey with the highest concentration of single malt.

John O'Connell, co-founder of the distillery, commented: "The Pogues offer a perfect partnership as they share many of the same values as our company such as an independent spirit, a slightly unorthodox approach and a commitment to quality."

The whiskey is targeted at 25 to 30 year olds. Halewood International has been appointed to distribute the brand in the UK, where it will retail for £30.

Stewart Hainsworth, chief executive at Halewood International, said: "It is a premium whiskey with excellent quality credentials which we are confident will attract the attention of fans of The Pogues as well as Irish whiskey lovers in general."

The Pogues Irish Whiskey will also be available in 16 other markets worldwide, including Australia, Japan and the US.

The Irish whiskey industry has doubled in size in the last ten years is now one of Ireland's fastest growing export sectors. Ireland is the fourth largest exporter of whisky in the world.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney recently unveiled the government's Vision for Irish Whiskey which contains ambitious targets to double exports to 12m 9-litre cases by 2020, and to triple the industry's share of the global market by 2030.

West Cork Distillery was founded in 2003. It is one of only three independent whiskey distilleries in Ireland.

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