The Irish whiskey revival continues with Diageo announcing plans to invest in a whiskey distillery in the former Power Station at St James’s Gate in Dublin. The total project investment comes to €25m over three years.
The drinks giant also launched a new premium Blended Irish Whiskey, Roe & Co, in a bid to make Irish Whiskey more prominent in Europe’s booming cocktail market. Roe & Co is named in honour of George Roe, the once world-famous whiskey maker who helped build the golden era of Irish Whiskey in the 19th century. His distillery, George Roe and Co extended over 17 acres on Thomas Street in Dublin and was once Ireland’s largest distillery.
Diageo’s new St. James’s Gate distillery, on Thomas Street, will be situated near where the George Roe and Co distillery once stood and subject to planning approval will begin production in the first half of 2019.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed said: “Irish Whiskey is experiencing a renaissance and is truly an Irish success story. It is seeing a return to the success it experienced in its golden era in the 19th Century and is now the fastest growing spirit drink in the world with global sales increasing by over 300pc and record exports of over €400m in the last ten years.
” This commitment and investment by Diageo comes at an opportune time for the sector which is experiencing unprecedented global demand. €25m investment in this project over three years will support the local economy, create jobs, and bring a welcome new addition to the city’s tourism offering.”
Tanya Clarke, General Manager of Reserve Europe, said: “This is a wonderful project for us at Diageo, highlighting the opportunity we see to develop the premium segment of Irish Whiskey and contribute to the category’s growth as it sees new investment and entrepreneurial interest. In crafting Roe & Co we explored the demands of today’s consumers for more premium drinking experiences and the desire of bartenders for an adaptable, flavourful whiskey that works in both traditional and new cocktails.”
Colin O’Brien Operations Director of Diageo said: “The planned distillery will provide employment in the coming years – both at construction and operation stages. It will complement what is already the country’s most popular tourism offering, The Guinness Storehouse.
“This investment further demonstrates Diageo’s commitment to the growing vibrancy of The Liberties, one of the City’s most dynamic districts and the home of Irish Whiskey during the original golden age of Irish distilling. We are excited that the planned distillery will help revive the proud tradition of distilling in the Liberties.”
