Sliabh Liag gains €15m funding
Irish spirits producer Sliabh Liag Distillers has secured up to €15 million (US$17.6m) in working capital from supply chain platform Ferovinum.
The investment in County Donegal-based Sliabg Liag (which operates the Ardara Distillery) marks Ferovinum’s first move into the Irish drinks market, after providing funds to Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery and Neurita Tequila in 2024.
James Doherty, co-founder of Sliabh Liag Distillers, said: “The Irish industry is both one of the oldest and the youngest in the world. On one hand, it’s steeped in heritage, but outside of Jameson, the scale is still quite small when compared to a category like Scotch.
“It is also highly consolidated and therefore ripe for some diversification, some differentiation and some distinctiveness. That creates space for innovative newcomers like ourselves, it creates huge headroom to grow.”
In July 2020, Sliabh Liag exceeded its €1.5m (US$1.7m) fundraising target, which was followed by a Crowdcube campaign two years later. The €1.5m investment went towards building the producer’s Ardara Distillery, which has since has increased its global footprint to 40 countries.
The company recently launched its inaugural single malt from the Ardara Distillery.
Ferovinum enables producers to unlock capital through maturing stock while maintaining control of their business.
Gregor Mathieson, director of spirits at Ferovinum, added: “What makes Ireland so exciting is the infectious energy of its distillers and brand owners. Naturally compelling storytellers who combine tradition with a real hunger to innovate.
“But it’s a long game and growth is capital-intensive. In partnering with Sliabh Liag, we are demonstrating how our platform can empower producers to scale up sustainably, without giving up equity or compromising on quality.”
Ferovinum CEO Mitch Fowler describes Ireland as an “important market” with the country’s whiskey industry having “huge global potential”.
Last year, Ferovinum provided a £35m (US$43m) funding package to The Borders Distillery in Scotland.
In September, Ferovinum raised £17.5m (US$23.3m) to unlock new markets worldwide for wine and spirits brands.
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