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News
Belfast Distillery Co expands to South Korea
The owner of Irish whiskey brand McConnell’s, Belfast Distillery Company, has secured a distribution deal in South Korea with Goldenblue.
The agreement will see almost 10,000 bottles of McConnell’s Irish Whisky shipped to South Korea.
The news was announced by minister of state for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker MP, and is supported by government agency Invest Northern Ireland’s (Invest NI) new team in Seoul.
Baker said: “With its ambitious export plans, Belfast Distillery Company is now selling its products in over 30 countries, with its latest success showing how UK government funding is helping Invest NI support Northern Ireland businesses on the world stage.
“Invest NI’s new Korean presence has been instrumental in helping to secure this distribution agreement and I am delighted to see the hard work of the Invest NI team paying off for NI businesses.”
Dessie Roche, commercial manager at Belfast Distillery Company, said the deal marked a “significant milestone” for the business.
“Relationships and personal connections are a very strong part of the Korean culture and we utilised the in-market knowledge of Invest NI’s team in Seoul to build a relationship with Goldenblue which has helped us secure our first entry into Korea and ultimately bring our product to this significant new market,” he added.
“We very much look forward to building on this success in Korea and other international markets in the future.”
The news follows the Belfast Distillery Company’s investment of £22.3m (US$27m) to open a distillery and visitor centre for McConnell’s in Belfast.
The space will be on the site of the former Crumlin Road Gaol jail, and will create 49 jobs.