Dublin – 12th December 2019
Mark Anthony Brands International today announces the purchase of the remaining shares in Glendalough Distillery to give the company complete ownership of the Irish craft spirits business.
The deal comes three years after Mark Anthony Brands International took an initial 40% stake in the fast-growing distiller. Commenting on the transaction Mark Anthony Brands International Chief Executive Davin Nugent said: “As the pioneer of craft Irish whiskey and gin, Glendalough has quickly established itself as one of Ireland’s leading premium spirit brands. The Glendalough portfolio presents a truly differentiated offering in both Irish Whiskey and Gin, which uniquely positions the company for significant success, not only in Ireland and North America but in many other international markets. As investors since 2016 we have witnessed at first hand the passion and hard work from our Glendalough colleagues in growing their business and we are delighted to now welcome them into the Mark Anthony family”.
Founded in 2011 by Barry Gallagher and Brian Fagan, Glendalough has become one of the country’s most innovative Irish Whiskey and Gin makers. Commenting on the deal, Glendalough Director Brian Fagan said: “It's been an incredible journey for the whole team here at Glendalough. The successes we have enjoyed have been as a direct result of all the hard work of our innovative and passionate team. In 2016 we welcomed Mark Anthony Brands on board as a shareholder. They have always shared our vision for Glendalough and supported our efforts to grow the business. We are excited to now become full members of the Mark Anthony family and look forward to building the brand together”.
Mark Anthony Brands International is a member of the Mark Anthony Group of Companies, one of North America’s largest privately-owned alcohol beverage businesses. Led by Davin Nugent, Mark Anthony Brands International was established in Dublin in 2014.
To date the Dublin-based business has focused on the development and distribution of major innovation projects including the incredibly successful White Claw Hard Seltzer. White Claw Hard Seltzer was created and developed in Ireland by Nugent and his team as part of Mark Anthony’s objective to create and develop brands and liquids that better reflect the tastes and expectations of today’s consumers. Available in the United States since 2016, Mark Anthony International is currently examining additional international markets to launch White Claw in early next year.
The purchase of Glendalough is the first spirit acquisition for Mark Anthony’s Irish business, but not its first move into the spirits category. The company has already developed a major new Canadian Whisky brand called BEARFACE, which was launched in North America earlier this year and is gaining significant international attention, winning the Canadian Whisky of the Year at the 2019 Canadian Whisky Awards, in addition to 10 other prestigious international whisky awards.
The Glendalough business will continue to operate as a separate company from Mark Anthony Brands International under the leadership of the existing management team, headed by Barry Gallagher and Brian Fagan. Distribution of the Glendalough portfolio for Ireland was recently taken on by Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, with Mark Anthony Crafted Spirits distributing in the United States. In total, Glendalough is now available in over 40 international markets.
Glendalough Distillery was founded by Barry Gallagher & Brian Fagan in 2011. Initially selling Poitín, the business quickly grew to offer a broader range of premium Irish spirits. Now in its 8th year, the distillery has become a leader in innovating Irish spirits, releasing some world-firsts like Irish whiskey aged in rare Japanese Mizunara oak, Irish single malt aged in Irish oak, and a range of distinctive gins distilled with freshly foraged wild flora and fauna picked in the Wicklow mountains.
A member of the Mark Anthony Group of Companies, Mark Anthony Brands International develops, markets and distributes a range of premium alcohol brands for sale in markets around the globe. Located in Donnybrook House, Dublin, the company was established in Ireland in 2014.
The Mark Anthony Group of Companies is one of North America's most diversified and successful private beverage companies focused on the alcohol beverage sector. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, the group of companies is led by Founder and CEO Anthony von Mandl.
For more information, contact:
Conor Brophy, Director, Teneo
T: +353 1 6342 554
M: +353 86 6039476
E: conor.brophy@teneo.com