Business

McConnell’s Irish Whisky secure entry into Japanese market

Belfast Distillery Company signs new distribution deal with Oyama

L-R: Megumi Hatsuta, Invest NI, Japan; Mamoru Tsuchiya, president of the Japan Whisky Research Centre; John Kelly, chief executive of McConnell's; Chikako Kanishi, Oyama and Takuya Ohtoge, Oyama.
L-R: Megumi Hatsuta, Invest NI, Japan; Mamoru Tsuchiya, president of the Japan Whisky Research Centre; John Kelly, chief executive of McConnell's; Chikako Kanishi, Oyama and Takuya Ohtoge, Oyama.
By Ryan McAleer

The Belfast Distillery Company has secured its first deal to sell the McConnell’s Irish Whisky brand into the Japanese Market.

The distillery, based at Crumlin Road Gaol, has signed up with Japanese distributor Oyama for the deal, in a move supported by Invest NI.

It caps off a landmark year for the company, which opened the McConnell’s Distillery and Visitor Experience in the ‘A-wing’ of Crumlin Road Gaol in April.

It marked the culmination of a £30 million investment in north Belfast.

Backed by US investors, McConnell’s is already being exported to more than 40 countries.

Japan is the latest new market for the growing spirit business, which now employs almost 50 people.

“I have been determined to secure an entry into this important market over the past 12 months and longer, given the scale and potential of the Japanese market,” said the company’s chief executive, John Kelly.

“I am confident our relationship with Oyama will be the beginning of a productive and beneficial partnership.

“In addition we are also delighted to be partnered with Aeon Liquor, one of Japan’s biggest premium liquor chains who are supporting the launch of McConnell’s 5 Year and Sherry.”

Yasuo Katoh, president and chief executive of The Oyama Company, who has visited the Belfast distillery, described it as “a remarkable facility”.

“Many people are surprised and deeply intrigued when they learn that whiskey is made on this site which until very recently, used to be a jail,” he said.

Invest NI’s trade director, Anne Beggs, added: “This success in Japan is a testament to the outstanding quality of McConnell’s Irish Whisky and the dedication of the McConnell’s team.”