This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
SB meets… Ryan McFarland, Kirker Greer Spirits
By SB Staff WriterIn 2009, Richard Ryan and Steven Pattison founded Drinksology, initially focusing on creative design, innovation, and brand activation within the spirits and hospitality sectors. The business has since evolved into a multifaceted company with three sister companies under one umbrella: Drinksology, dedicated to experiential brand building, and innovation for some of the world’s most iconic brands and bars; Kirker Greer Spirits, a portfolio of premium brands selling globally; and Spiritly.com, a premium B2B and D2C e‐commerce platform. We interviewed the company’s chief commercial and strategy officer, who joined last year, to learn more about Kirker Greer Spirits.

Where does Kirker Greer Spirits sit in the Drinksology portfolio?
The Kirker Greer Spirits portfolio is a key driver of our overall business growth, and we focus a significant proportion of our time and resources on it. We have developed a cross-category portfolio positioned in the ‘accessible premium’ space, which gives consumers the opportunity to trade up to something special without breaking the bank. Our products and packaging are designed to stand out on the bar shelf and are awardwinning liquids that live up to the promise of the packaging. We intentionally created a diverse portfolio to ensure we can align with current and future trends in multiple global markets.
How has the company evolved since you and chief marketing officer Ali Pickering joined last year?
Founders Richard and Steven, and the team have spent the last 14 years creating an award‐winning business. It’s aspirational and inspirational, and it attracted us to join. The group’s uniqueness is its creative and entrepreneurial mindset. However, to ensure we are as efficient and effective as possible, we’ve been able to apply appropriate operational structure, double down on our people focus and, through our prior experience, help prepare the business and brands for global expansion.
Which brands are in the portfolio?
The portfolio we own includes Ukiyo Japanese Spirits, Born Irish Whiskey, Bowsaw American Whiskey, Kadoo Caribbean Rum, Jawbox Irish Gin, Kirker Shamrock Whiskey, Ginato Italian Gin, and Hoshi Japanese Spirits. We have a longstanding distribution agreement with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin in the UK.
What are your expansion plans?
We are working on expansion into future trend spaces. We will bring our first agave spirit, Del Suelo Mezcal, to market early in 2025. Del Suelo, meaning ‘of the earth’, is a premium mezcal that tastes great, is sustainably sourced and ensures fair standards for our Mexican partners – something we are passionate about. We are also working on an exciting Asian whisky project. A Tequila range is under development, and exclusive brand extensions are being developed for one of our key retail partners.
Which are your key markets?
Our brands are currently available in over 30 markets, and that number is expanding month on month. Our core markets are the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Netherlands and Germany. We are also growing well in new markets like Italy, Greece, Hungary, and the Nordics. Additionally, we have identified South Korea and Japan as key markets for future growth.
Do you have any plans for the UK?
We’ve developed fantastic plans to build brand awareness and activity to engage consumers and enhance the customer experience at the point of connection. We aim to build on the strong relationships we’ve developed with our retail, wholesale and managed on‐premise partners. Our brand development team will work with and support the best independent outlets in their cities to win a share of voice and get sips on lips.
Related news
Drinksology Kirker Greer gains B Corp status