IRELAND – Irish Whiskey brand, Hinch, has ramped up its global exporting activity through a new partnership with US distributor, Chopin Imports.

The business collaboration, according to the company will see Hinch launched to the American market in September 2020, which accounts for 40% of Irish whiskey sales globally. 

It will also create an avenue through which the company can launch its Celtic-inspired Ninth Wave Gin brand in what is the world’s second biggest gin market.

The partnership follows the company’s launch of its plans for a £15m distillery and visitor experience in Northern Ireland, last November.

Construction of the 30,0000 sq ft distillery was delayed to due to the Covid-19 pandemic but is now on track to start production in October 2020 with the visitor centre’s opening pushed back to 2021.

The site will produce the Craft Hinch Irish whiskey and Ninth Wave Gin brands.

Hinch is also making its entry into the Irish whiskey market in Taiwan in partnership with distributor Brandwerk.

Brandwerk a dynamic new player in the premium spirits category in Taiwan market.

The company noted that it made its way into 20 additional countries last year, including Australia, Japan and Hong Kong, fuelled by the response garnered by Hinch Whiskey and Ninth Wave Gin.

Hinch’s Ninth Wave Irish gin won Double Gold and ‘Gin of the Year’ at China Wine and Spirit Awards (CWSA), the first ever Trophy win for the distillery.

“The awards demonstrate that our hard work and technical knowledge is recognised at the highest level.”

Dr Terry Cross OBE – Hinch Distillery Chairman

It also received three CWSA awards for its Irish whiskey range: Double Gold for Hinch 10 Year Old Sherry Finish, Gold for Hinch 5 Year Old Double Wood and Silver for Hinch Peated Single Malt.

These awards follow more than a dozen other wins for Hinch Distillery in 2020 including Gold Medals for Ninth Wave Gin at the World Gin Awards, Australian International Sprits Competition, Canadian Alberta Beverage Awards and multiple wins for whiskey and gin at the ISC and IWSC, London.

Hinch Distillery Chairman, Dr Terry Cross OBE, said, “Taking our first ever trophy at CWSA 2020 makes the team very proud and is a highlight for us during what has been a very surreal year for business. The awards demonstrate that our hard work and technical knowledge is recognised at the highest level.”

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