Irish Distillers is a subsidiary of the French drinks conglomerate Pernod Ricard . It is the largest distiller of Irish whiskey , distilling popular brands such as Jameson and Powers , in addition to premium whiskeys such as Redbreast and Midleton Very Rare . In addition to whiskey, Irish Distillers also produces a number of other spirit products such as gin and vodka .
10-502: Irish Distillers Group was formed as Irish Distillers Limited (IDL) in 1966, when a merger took place between three Irish whiskey distilleries, Cork Distilleries Company , John Jameson & Son and John Power & Son . In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the board of directors decided to close their existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin, and to consolidate production at
20-555: A new purpose-built facility. A site alongside the existing distillery in Midleton , County Cork was chosen as the location for the new distillery, as there was no room for expansion alongside the Dublin distilleries. In 1972, Bushmills , the only other whiskey distillery in operation in Ireland at the time, joined the group, giving Irish Distillers complete control over all whiskey production on
30-547: The Cork Distilleries Company for several years. The Watercourse Distillery was also mothballed in the mid-1880s, so that by the turn of the century, only two of CDC's five distilleries, the North Mall and Midleton -remained in production. In 1920, a fire broke out at the North Mall distillery, completely destroying its five-storey mill, and causing significant damage to most, if not all of the production buildings. Had
40-479: The Irish whiskey industry not been in the midst of a crisis, with most distilleries enduring severe financial hardship, the distillery might have been rebuilt. However, facing an uncertain economic outlook, a decision was taken to concentrate production at Midleton, rather than to renovate the North Mall Distillery. In 1966, with the Irish distilleries still facing an uncertain future, CDC merged with two of
50-611: The island of Ireland. One Friday in July 1975, production ceased at the Old Midleton Distillery and began the next Monday morning at the new Midleton complex , with distillation at the two Dublin distilleries come to an end a year later. The distillery at Bushmills , County Antrim remained in operation. The Old Midleton Distillery and Jameson's Bow Street Distillery have since reopened as visitors' centres. In contrast, much of Powers John's Lane distillery has been demolished, with
60-572: The mid-1800s, the Irish whiskey industry underwent a period of turmoil, with the temperance movement of the 1830s, and the Great Famine of the 1840s reducing domestic demand for whiskey. At the time, Cork was home to several distilleries, therefore, in the 1860s, James Murphy, the owner of the Midleton distillery, suggested amalgamating the operations of several local distilleries. The other distilleries agreed, so in 1867, Cork Distilleries Company (CDC)
70-538: The remaining buildings, now protected structures, forming part of the National College of Art and Design . In June 1988, following a hostile takeover attempt from Grand Metropolitan , Allied-Lyons and Guinness , Irish Distillers was the subject of a white knight takeover by Pernod Ricard . In 2005, Bushmills was sold to rival drinks giant Diageo for £200 million. In 2016, the Paddy Irish whiskey brand
80-696: Was an Irish whiskey distilling company. It was formed in 1867, when four Cork distilleries, Daly's , the Green , North Mall , the Watercourse were amalgamated under one company to form the Cork Distilleries Company. In 1868, these were joined by another Cork distillery, James Murphy's Midleton Distillery . The company existed until 1966, when the Cork Distilleries Company merged with two other Irish distillers, John Powers & Son and John Jameson & Son , to form Irish Distillers . The company produced Paddy Whiskey , and Cork Dry Gin among other products. In
90-401: Was formed, with Murphy at the helm. In 1867, CDC took control of four Cork distilleries: North Mall , The Green , the Watercourse and Daly's , and a year later Midleton Distillery also joined. The years that followed its formation saw some rationalisation, with distilling ceasing at Daly's Distillery in 1869, and at the Green in the 1870s. Though both continued to be used as warehouses by
100-848: Was sold to Sazerac , though as part of the sale agreement, production of the whiskey is to continue at the Midleton Distillery . In 2021, Knappogue Castle and Clontarf were added to Irish Distillers portfolio of Irish whiskeys. Irish Distillers beverage brands include: Irish whiskey : Irish single malts: Knappogue Castle , Method and Madness Single pot still whiskeys : Green Spot (produced exclusively for Mitchell & Son Wine Merchants), Powers , Redbreast Blended Irish whiskeys: Clontarf 1014 , Jameson , Midleton Very Rare Beer : Eight Degrees Brewing Company Gin : Cork Dry Gin , Method and Madness Gin Vodka : Huzzar Cork Distilleries Company Cork Distilleries Company
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