Alantra advises Walsh Whiskey on its sale to Amber Beverage Group

Nov 2021

Sell-side advisory

Paris – Alantra, the global investment banking and asset management specialist, is pleased to announce that it has advised Walsh Whiskey (“the Company”), owner of multi-award-winning brands of Irish whiskey, on its sale to Amber Beverage Group (“ABG“),  a global producer and distributor of alcoholic beverages.

Walsh Whiskey was established in 1999 by Bernard and Rosemary Walsh as a family business dedicated to the revival of Irish whiskey. The Company has built an international following for its portfolio of super-premium, award-winning whiskeys: The Irishman and Writers’ Tears. Both brands offer unique taste profiles by the recreation of traditional Irish whiskey recipes from the 19th Century, Ireland’s golden era of whiskey distilling. While honouring the heritage of whiskey distillation, the Company also introduces innovative new expressions for contemporary palates in a modern age.

Based in Luxembourg, Amber Beverage Group is a global spirits company that owns more than 100 brands and is responsible for marketing and distributing 1,300 third-party brands to more than 185 markets. ABG’s core brands include Moskovskaya Vodka, KAH Tequila, Riga Black Balsam, Rooster Rojo tequila, Cross Keys Gin and Cosmopolitan Diva.

This transaction will strengthen ABG’s portfolio of premium liquor brands within the growing segment of Irish whiskey. The acquisition will also provide Walsh Whiskey with the means to scale up the business, reaching a greater number of clients across the globe. Mr Walsh will remain as managing director according to the Company’s plans to expand the distribution of the brands to new markets.

Ashley Rountree, Sector Specialist Partner at Alantra, said: “We are pleased to have supported Bernard and Rosemary Walsh on the sale of their fantastic Irish Whiskey brands.  They have created two unique whiskey profiles in this fast-growing segment of the Spirits market. This transaction adds to Alantra’s global initiative in the beverage sector and extends our reach and expertise in Spirits.”