Suntory to shift Irish whiskey bottling to Spain and Scotland

Japanese drinks giant Suntory has decided to move the bottling of three Irish whiskey brands made at its Cooley Distillery offshore.

The distillery produces Suntory’s Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell and Connemara Irish whiskey brands, all of which will now be bottled in Scotland and Spain.

According to the Irish Independent, the company informed distillery staff of the change last month, but is yet to finalise plans.

“On October 9, 2024, we announced that the group would plan to relocate bottling activity for Irish brands from Cooley Distillery to other group sites in Spain and Scotland, and a communication was made to employees of a proposal,” newly-filed accounts for the Cooley Distillery confirmed.

“However, at the time of the financial statements’ sign off, the total financial impact cannot be quantified until the consultation process is completed,” the company added.

Last year the distillery saw turnover decline 4.5% to €19.1m. Pre-tax profits dropped 23% to €1.1m over the same 12-month period.

Suntory suspended all shipments of alcohol to Russia in March 2022, a move which hit sales of its Kilbeggan brand, of which Russia was formerly a key market.

Its three Irish whiskey brands will now be bottled in either Scotland, where Suntory owns Scotch whisky brands including Bowmore and Laphroaig, or in Spain. Spain is a strategic hub for the drinks giant, and home to its international headquarters. It is home to Suntory’s DYC distillery in Segovia, which produces spirits and liqueurs such as Larios gin, Whisky DYC and La Castellana.

Cooley Distillery was bought from entrepreneur John Teeling by US drinks firm Beam in 2011 for €71m. Beam was acquired by Suntory in 2014.

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