The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

⁠Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has announced it is investing €35 million in a new whiskey distillery, which the company says will be "one of the largest in the category". The new Walsh Whiskey Distillery at Dunleckney will be located on an historic 18th-century site by the banks of the River Barrow in County Carlow, just over an hour from Dublin. Walsh Whiskey Distillery will become the brand home for ABG’s two premium whiskeys – Writers’ Tears and The Irishman – which are exported to over 50 countries worldwide. Through the new distillery, ABG expects to reach a production capacity of 4 million litres of pure alcohol annually. The distillery’s capacity will facilitate ABG’s plans to lay down significant reserves of maturing whiskey over the long term. Jekaterina Stuge, CEO of ABG, said: “This is ABG’s second major investment in the fast-growing Irish whiskey category following our acquisition of Walsh Whiskey and its super-premium Irish whiskey brands, Writers’ Tears and The Irishman, in 2021. Once commissioned our distillery will enable ABG to become one of the major global producers of Irish whiskey." She continued: "We will preserve the heritage of the historic site at Dunleckney, while introducing high-end production capabilities, married with a modern design to excite the senses of visitors to what will become a leading distillery and brand home for our whiskeys.” Bernard Walsh, founder and managing director of Walsh Whiskey, said: “Located in the heart of Ireland’s barley growing region, with its own supply of natural water, the 18th century riverside location of Dunleckney has been a special location for producing drink and food since the 1700s. Milled corn, beer, and malted grain have all been produced at this site, so whiskey is a natural progression.” ABG expects for construction of the new facility to begin in 2024, with the plant opening in 2026.