The Shed Distillery, based in Co Leitrim, has launched its Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin into the growing Chinese market.
China is the world's largest drinks market and Irish gin exports to China have grown by almost 200% over the past five years with demand for premium and super-premium gin brands set to outpace the rest of the category by 2027.
The launch of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin in China comes after the official state visit to Ireland of the premier of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang.
Pat Rigney, the founder and owner of family-run The Shed Distillery, said the entry to the Chinese market is a pivotal milestone for the company and will generate "significant" new local job creation at The Shed Distillery, which currently employs over 100 people.
He said that with China's imports set to hit $17 trillion over the next five years, the launch of the Shed Distillery's gin in China is key to remaining competitive on a global scale as the brand strives to become one of the top ten gin brands in the world.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin will be rolled out to Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and other major Chinese cities over the coming months.
EKO integrated Services, who are The Shed Distillery's distribution partners in China, say there is enormous potential for the Leitrim brand as the country actively focuses on accelerating high-quality imports.
EKO Integrated Services first showcased Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin in China last November at the China International Import Expo.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is exported to over 80 countries and is one of the fastest-growing gin brands in the world. The brand also sells in over 60 international airports.
Pat Rigney said the company's Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin journey started in China where it discovered gunpowder tea.
"This year, the Chinese Year of the Dragon, The Shed Distillery celebrates our tenth anniversary, which we mark with our special limited-edition ceramic Chinese Dragon bottle of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, celebrating the coming together of our two unique cultures," he said.
"Our extraordinary team at the Shed Distillery are intrinsic to moments like today. We prize our partnership with the remarkable community here in Drumshanbo, and our shared vision which has guided our journey over the last ten years, and led to making today's announcement come to be," he added.
