UK-based drinks manufacturer Halewood International has acquired 50% stake in Pogues Irish Whiskey.
The deal was struck with the Irish band, The Pogues, whose members Shane MacGowan, Jem Finer, Andrew Ranken, Spider Stacy, James Fearnley, Terry Woods, and Darryl Hunt. The Pogues will retain ownership of the remaining 50% stake of the brand.
The Pogues Whiskey was developed by West Cork Distillers in 2015. West Cork Distilleries will continue to own the global distribution rights of the whiskey.
However, it has granted Halewood rights for distribution in core markets such as the UK, RSA, Romania, China and Global Travel Retail.
The whiskey features a blend of 50% 10-year single malt Irish whiskey aged in sherry oak casks and seven year old single malt Irish whiskey aged in bourbon oak casks and 50% four year Irish grain whiskey aged in bourbon oak casks.
The drink comes with an aroma of malts and cracked nuts, with a sweet taste and smooth, intense flavour. It is distilled using Irish indigenous ingredients including grains that are locally grown and spring water from river Ilen.
Pogues Whiskey is crafted in small batches in handmade copper stills at West Cork's distillery in Skibbereen.
Halewood International Group CEO Stewart Hainsworth said: "This acquisition further strengthens our close partnership with West Cork Distillers.
"We already distribute the West Cork Irish Whiskey brand range in the UK and throughout our network and West Cork Distillers distribute Halewood brands in Eire. The Pogues Irish Whiskey is a premium whiskey that adds its own distinct, rebellious character to our spirits portfolio."
The whiskey's target segment includes 25 to 35-year-old drinkers and is considered to be Ireland's highest malt containing blended Irish whiskey with 50% grain and 50% single malt liquid.
