Deal will see Hinch Whiskey and Ninth Wave Gin gear up for a presence in the Irish drinks market.
A brand new Northern Ireland whiskey and gin company has signed a deal with independent premium drinks distributor Barry and Fitzwilliam to distribute its Ninth Wave and Hinch brands.
Hinch, which launched a £15m distillery and visitor experience in Belfast last month, said it is delighted to announce the Cork-based company as its distribution partner in the South, in a move that will help raise the profile and presence of its brands across the country.
The Hinch Distillery is the brainchild of well-known Northern Ireland entrepreneur Dr Terry Cross OBE who was behind the hugely successful Delta Print and Packaging Limited company which he sold to Finnish packaging giant Huhtamaki in 2016 for £80m.
The distillery is not the first drinks venture for the businessman. He transformed vineyard Château de La Ligne in Bordeaux over 20 years ago, restoring it to its former glory, and has since been carrying on the tradition of the estate by producing a variety of classic Bordeaux wines.
Dr Cross’ new business, Hinch Distillery, which is located between Belfast and Co Down town Ballynahinch, produces a premium whiskey collection of varying maturities and profiles, all originally sourced from some of the most reputable whiskey producers in Ireland.
Meanwhile the company’s premium gin brand, Ninth Wave, which takes its name from Celtic mythology, is “otherworldly” and, alongside the Hinch Time Collection has been making noise across the globe.
Dr Terry Cross OBE said: “Our products have secured listings in 25 countries globally but Ireland is our homeland and we are delighted to have Barry and Fitzpatrick as our distributors here. We know they have a track record of looking after some of the world’s biggest wine and spirits brands and as a relatively new brand we feel confident that Hinch can make its mark in Ireland with their help.”
Dr Cross added that consumers can expect a ‘highly differentiated product and experience’ with the Hinch brand explaining: “Hinch and Ninth Wave couple quality with heritage and a story.”
Speaking about the new arrangement, Michael Barry, MD of Barry and Fitzwilliam said:
“Barry and Fitzwilliam have been appointed as the exclusive distribution partner for Hinch Distillery in the Republic of Ireland. We are Ireland’s largest premium drinks distributor with a portfolio of more than 120 beers, wines and spirits and we are delighted to be working with the Hinch team to bring these exceptional products to the Irish consumer. The Craft Hinch Irish Whiskey brands and Ninth Wave Gin are already firm favourites on the international stage and we are excited to be at the forefront with them in Ireland.”
