Foley Family Wines (FFW) of Santa Rosa, California, has announced an agency partnership with Ireland Craft Beverages, LTD. FFW will immediately begin importing and distributing Craft Beverages’ Two Stacks and Killowen Irish Beverage portfolio in the U.S. through its wholesale and supplier network.
Shane McCarthy, Liam Brogan & Donal McLynn founded Ireland Craft Beverages in 2015 and Two Stacks in 2020.
Located near the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Two Stacks Bond works with Ireland’s leading distilleries to commission heritage mash bill recipes, source and access whiskey from a wide range of casks and distillates, creating a unique and contemporary whiskey expressions.
The Two Stacks core portfolio includes The First Cut – Signature Blend, The Blender’s Cut – Cask Strength Blend, Smoke & Mirrors – Peated Single Malt, Double Barrel – Single Grain, Double Barrel – Single Pot Still, Double Barrel – Single Malt, and Double Irish Cream Liqueur. FFW will also import The First Cut and Double Barrel whiskeys and the Double Irish Cream Liqueur in ‘Dram in a Can’ 100 ml / 43% ABV servings.
Nestled in the heart of the Mourne mountains, Killowen distillery is one of Ireland’s smallest and most authentic distilleries on the island. Killowen’s head distiller, Brendan Carty, focuses on producing historic Pot Still Irish Whiskey, as well as Poitin, Gin, Rum, and Liqueurs.
“As we expand our spirits portfolio, the addition of Irish Whiskey and other beverages will complement our growing portfolio of spirits from Scotland, New Zealand, Mexico, Kentucky, Texas, and Nevada,” commented Shawn Schiffer, FFW president. “Two Stacks and Killowen represent the history of classic Irish distilleries and the creativity and innovation that consumers are seeking.”
“Two Stacks Independent bottling and bonding facility is a modern revival of Irish Whiskey Bonding, helping script a new and exciting chapter for where Irish can go, through the custodianship of some Ireland’s oldest and newest whiskey distillates, harmonizing blends to create unique and exciting flavors within the category,” added McCarthy. “Foley Family Wines shares our commitment to quality and craftsmanship and is the right partner for us as we expand our sales and distribution into the U.S.” In 2023, 12.9 million 9L cases of Irish Whiskey were sold, a 3% increase from 2022. Approximately 91% of Irish whiskey retail sales in the U.S. are in the premium+ category, and the U.S. was the leading export market for Irish cream liqueurs in 2023 totaling €155m (US$170m).