Alantra advised the shareholders of Quintessential Brands Irish Whiskey on the sale of a 25% stake to Stock Spirits

Jul 2017

Capital raise

Value €18.3 million

Alantra advised Quintessential Brands Irish Whiskey (QBIW), the owner of Dublin Liberties Whiskey Company and the Dubliner Irish Whiskey brand, on the €18.3m investment from Stock Spirits Group for a 25% share in QBIW.

The investment from Stock Spirits Group, the owner and producer of premium branded spirits and liqueurs that are sold mainly in Central and Eastern Europe, comprises an initial €15m cash, plus a further deferred cash consideration for the 25% equity interest in QBIW.

As part of a total €28m investment in QBIW, a new comprehensive €10m banking facility has been completed with Wells Fargo Bank. The company has announced that the investment will be primarily used to complete the construction and fit out of the Dublin Liberties Distillery on Mill Street in Dublin 8, accelerate advertising and promotional investment in the brands, and to finance working capital and stock maturation.

Quintessential Brands Group is an independent international spirits business, with a diverse portfolio of premium brands and world-class production capabilities in the UK, Ireland and France. With a global reach, and brand building capabilities, it distributes and supplies customers around the world.

Following Alantra’s strategy of deepening its sector and sub-sector specialization in investment banking, the firm recently launched a global initiative in the Beverages sector (Spirits, Low- and Non-alcoholic drinks) to leverage its sector knowledge and local teams. This deal marks the second transaction this year of the dedicated team, after the sale of Bulldog Gin to Campari Group for €63m announced last February.