Belfast Distillery Company signs South Korea deal

Belfast Distillery Company has signed an agreement to export 10,000 bottles of McConnell’s Irish Whisky to South Korean distributor Goldenblue.

The deal was supported by economic development agency Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) which, with £8 million in funding from the New Deal for Northern Ireland, has expanded its international presence, recently opening an office in Seoul.

Steve Baker MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland, toasted the deal: “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.”

Baker, who visited the Invest NI South Korea office last month, continued: “New Deal funding is helping to promote some of the unbelievable talent and expertise that Northern Ireland has to offer and I hope the brilliant success of the Belfast Distillery team can help inspire others to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Invest NI’s new international locations.”

Dessie Roche, Belfast Distillery Company commercial manager, added: “This Korean agreement marks a significant milestone for our 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.”

Goldenblue currently also distributes Kavalan, Old Castle and the premium South Korean whisky with which it shares its name.

In August last year, Belfast Distillery Company announced a £22.3m investment in a new McConnell’s distillery and visitor centre in the Northern Irish capital.

South Korea also has an emerging whiskey scene, with one of the world’s 10 most exciting distilleries located there.