Quintessential to double Irish cream output

Quintessential Brands has announced a €4 million investment in its Irish cream liqueur facility in County Laois, as the group set out an ambition to more than double production.

The investment in subsidiary First Ireland Spirits’ Abbeyleix plant will take place over the next 18 months, increasing annual output to around 2m cases and creating 20 new jobs in the town.

The news comes almost exactly a year after the drinks group, whose portfolio also includes G&J Distillers and UK agency Marblehead Brand Development, bought First Ireland Spirits Company, one of the largest independent producers of private label and branded Irish cream liqueurs.

This latest expansion drive sits within a wider push by the company, which is due to launch a luxury expression of its Feeney’s Irish Cream brand soon, as well as developing its whiskey The Dubliner as part of a move to expand into other Irish whiskey markets.

Quintessential Brands’ co-founder and director Warren Scott hailed this latest investment as “part of our ongoing strategy to develop Abbeyleix as the home of Irish cream, boost our production capabilities, build a premium Irish brand portfolio and expand our contract manufacturing business in Ireland.”