Fermanagh spirits maker The Boatyard Distillery, a Food  NI member,  has achieved huge recognition on the Drinks International Annual report for 2024.

Now in its 15^th year, the Drinks International Annual report is a snapshot of the buying habits of the world’s best bars. It is largely seen globally as a great barometer of the movers and shakers in the spirits world.  This important recognition received directly from the industry is evidence that Boatyard’s organic and sustainable spirits are advancing on the world stage as sought after liquid. 

Drinks International commenting on the overall 2024 Bartenders Choice says “The sole debutant this year is Boatyard which, under the guidance of commercial director Declan McGurk, has infiltrated the top tier of hospitality in the last couple of years”

Commercial director at Boatyard, Declan McGurk said “I am so thrilled for us to be gaining this recognition and thank the bar professionals that believe in what we are doing. I am a big believer that a spirit brand is best built by putting the bottles into the finest bartenders hands, so that they can then inspire consumer growth. This recognition is testament to what the bar industry think of Boatyard and gives us great momentum for growth, as we look to expand in markets and stature.”

Founder of Boatyard Joe McGirr adds: “We are incredibly honoured to be recognised so highly across the 2024 Annual report.  We owe a huge amount of thanks to all the bartenders and partners globally who work with Boatyard and believe in our liquid. Declan and our whole team have done an incredible job producing and bringing our spirits onto the global stage.”

In 2023 The Boatyard Distillery has come the first distillery on the island of Ireland to become B corp certified and also awarded Northern Ireland sustainable company of the year at the 2023 Business Eye awards.

Award-winning chocolate maker NearyNógs, a UK and Ireland leader in stoneground chocolates, has created a series of innovative treats in collaboration with local whiskey producers.

The family enterprise, which is owned and run by husband and wife team Shane and Dorothy Neary, has become a first call for leading distilleries such as Old Bushmills in Co. Antrim, Co Down’s Hinch, near Ballynahinch, and Killowen in Rostrevor, and independent whiskey blender Two Stacks in Newry.

The artisan chocolate maker, which also counts iconic London store Fortnum and Mason among its high-profile customers, has created gourmet chocolates for the whiskey producers including handcrafted truffles and a luxury bar from the finest ingredients.

The company produced an ‘Old Fashioned’ bar for Bushmills of 70 percent chocolate that was crafted from beans sourced from a single estate in Ecuador, Shane explains. “We loved collaborating with the whiskey producers on separate and highly creative projects,” he adds.

The project for Bushmills was a revival of a traditional chocolate bar with other premium ingredients such as Orange Bitters, a blend of tropical oranges and spices, brown sugar and rich cacao beans from Ecuador’s Limon region. The beans were stoneground at NearyNógs and then blended with the other luxury ingredients.

Chocolate truffles for the other projects also featured unique recipes using the beans from Ecuador. Irish double cream liqueur from Two Stacks was used in truffles.

“The projects gave us an opportunity to work with the producers on handcrafting original and luxury taste experiences for their customers,” continues Shane.

The chocolate maker, in addition, has collaborated with Whitewater Brewery in Castlewellan, Co Down on chocolates featuring its award-winning Belfast Black Stout for a deeper and fuller taste.

NearyNógs operates from a fully-equipped workshop in the Mournes that also features a visitor centre for tourists and other callers. In addition to this activity, the chocolate maker has a strong relationship with the nearby Killowen Distillery, a craft producer of whiskey, gin, rum and poitin, on truffles and events throughout the year such as whiskey and chocolate workshops. 

A blend of social media and conventional face-to-face marketing led to Scott’s Crispy Onions of Aghadowey, Co Derry signing up significant new business opportunities in Britain.

The family-owned and managed enterprise is now supplying its wide range of crispy onions, a product it pioneered, to the influential Artisan Food Club at Babington in Somerset, a major internet-led supplier of artisan foods to independent retailers throughout Britain.

Jodie Brown, sales and marketing manager at Scott’s, explains: “We originally followed Marcus Carter, the founder of the Artisan Food Club, on Instagram and had become interested in his innovative company. We thought the concept behind the business was brilliant.

“We then noticed that Marcus was listed to attend a food and drink showcase here organised by Invest NI and decided to invite him to call at our stand, which he promised to do.

“He sampled our crispy onions on the stand and spent time talking to us about the products and his business. Marcus absolutely loved the product and was keen to get them listed on his website,” adds Jodie. Scott’s Crispy is a FoodNI member.

 The show led to an account being agreed that listed all five flavours of the retail packs of Scott’s Crispy Onions, meaning customers in England, Scotland and Wales can purchase them via Artisan Food Club. They then ship directly to them

 “We have only just set up the account and have already received orders over the internet from new customers in Britain. Marcus will work to increase awareness of the brand there and how the product can be used,” Jodie says.

Marcus Carter formed the Artisan Food Club in 2012 “to search out exciting new artisan food and drink brands”.  It was based on his conviction that there were thousands of delicious food and drink products being made by talented artisan producers across the UK. Whilst the quality of the products couldn’t be questioned, many were untested beyond the farmers’ market, and were being overlooked by traditional wholesalers, which were only able to work with brands that had a proven sales background.

This was a situation that didn’t benefit anyone, especially not consumers or Independent retailers who were stuck selling the same products as the shop down the road. For the customer, the shopping experience was lacking, and many artisans struggled to grow their businesses.

A passion “to help independent food companies have a voice’  has been the driving force behind many of his ventures and is now the primary aim of the Artisan Food Club.

Over the next few years Marcus, who grew up in North Wales and developed experience in farming, agricultural management and food production, worked closely with independent retailers, to enable them to try these exciting new brands risk-free.

Feedback was positive as retailers saw footfall and basket spend grow, consumers enjoyed all the exciting new brands and flavours, and the artisans working with the Artisan Food Club, saw their weekend passions grow into sustainable businesses.

He knows about the challenges of small food businesses and in food production from a BBQ sauce venture. Armed with this knowledge and experience, Marcus subsequently created ‘Carter Food House’, a national wholesaler to butchers and fish shops and the ‘Virtual Farmers Market’, an online sales platform for artisan producers, the latter leading to Artisan Food Club.

Leading independent retailers, now customers of the business, include Selfridges and Partridges, both in central London, Cobbs in Scotland and Stoneleigh in England.

The listing is regarded by Scott’s Crispy Onions as another significant presence in its targeted market of large and small retailers in Great Britain. It’s a marketing drive which is beginning to yield substantial sales for its products that include convenient snack pots and the first gluten-free crispy onions. The handy snack pots now account for around 15 percent of its business, reflecting its longstanding commitment to innovation in products and customer-focused marketing.

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The crispy onions, furthermore, have been exported to major supermarkets and independents in the Netherlands, Denmark and even as far as Australia.

The company, which employs around 20 people, began producing unique ready-to-eat crispy onions in 2013.  The onions, which can be eaten hot or cold, are produced fresh daily to ensure consistent restaurant quality for both professional chefs and home cooks.

As well as being essentially plant-based, the crispy onions are suitable for vegans and vegetarians and are now also gluten-free.

The company hand-peels, seasons and cooks the onions to ensure consistent product quality. The crispy onions do not contain any artificial colours or preservatives.  They are cooked in rapeseed oil and are low in saturated fat. Rapeseed oil is a key source of Omega 3, containing around ten times more than olive oil.

Henderson Food Group, a Food NI member, has released the popular pre-packed food-to-go Christmas range for 2023, introducing five seasonal sandwiches under the Delish brand.

The Delish range of sandwiches was launched earlier this year in partnership with local Newry based food-to-go manufacturer, Around Noon, which has been supplying Henderson Group with pre-packed sandwiches, wraps and salads for over ten years. 

The rebrand also introduced a new premium range to the Delish offering, ‘Delish Selection’, which focusses on big flavours, and can also be spotted in the 2023 Christmas range.

This year, ‘Delish at Christmas’ welcomes two returning favourites and the introduction of three brand new products. Shoppers can try the new Festive Ham, Cheese & Fruit Chutney Wrap, or take a taste of the new vegetarian option Applewood Cheese & Fruit Chutney Sandwich. Also introduced this year is the first ever premium festive sandwich, part of the ‘Selection’ range, Turkey, Stuffing & Cranberry Feast on granary bloomer bread.

Not to mention the highly anticipated return of two shopper favourites, Turkey, Smoked Bacon & Stuffing Wrap and Turkey, Sausage & Stuffing Sandwich.

The Delish at Christmas range has launched in over 160 SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores across Northern Ireland and will be available until 31st December with 10p from the purchase of every pack donated to SPAR and EUROSPAR NI’s charity partners, Marie Curie and Cancer Fund for Children.

Around Noon supply Henderson Group with 55,000 products a week, with a range of over 40 products on shelves in local stores for shoppers. The range includes standard, deepfill and triple sandwiches, subs & rolls, wraps, pasta salads and premium sandwiches. This product range also includes a ‘Choice’ selection of products which includes a number of vegetarian, vegan and low calorie products.

Julia Galbraith, brand development and marketing manager for the Food To Go category at Henderson Group, says: “We’re excited to be launching the Delish at Christmas range, bringing three new products to our shelves as well as welcoming back our shoppers’ favourites. This year’s range introduces exciting and tasty new products for shoppers’ convenience when on the go, providing additional choice and upgrading their lunch options for an affordable price, all while getting into the Christmas spirit.”

Stuart Kidd, senior account manager at Around Noon, adds: “The new Delish at Christmas range introduces more choice and new flavours to lunch on the go, as well as offering Christmas favourites. Our ongoing partnership with Henderson Group allows us to develop their ranges to meet customer’s ever changing needs, while providing the highest quality products. Whether it’s a quick lunch in the office or indulging in your first Christmas sandwich of the year, the Delish at Christmas range offers options for all shoppers and at great value.”

David Boyd-Armstrong, the joint founder and master distiller at Rademon Estate Distillery in Crossgar, Co Down, a Food NI member, has been elected chairman of Drinks Ireland in Dublin, the industry leading body. His role will be on guiding the spirits category in Ireland towards continued success emphasising the quality of Irish spirits on a global scale

David founded the Rademon Estate Distillery, home of Shortcross Gin and Whiskey, with his wife Fiona Boyd-Armstrong in 2012. He has been elected to a two-year term as chair of Drinks Ireland Spirits council, taking over from Bryan Fallon of Heaven Hill. 

Drinks Ireland Spirits represents the spirits industry across Ireland on policy advocacy, taxation, trade and market developments, and the ongoing international protection of Ireland’s Geographic Indicators (GIs). He is the director of distilling and blending at Rademon Estate Distillery, which is one of the oldest in the country.. 

David says: “The spirits industry across the island of Ireland has a vibrant offering and is central to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the island. Domestic sales and exports have steadily risen after a challenging few years.

“It is wonderful to see the growing awareness and appreciation both at home and abroad of unmatched quality of Irish spirits, especially our protected Geographic Indication (GI) spirits: Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream and Poitín. I look forward to helping bring the category into a new chapter of continued success and growth,” he adds.

Aengus King, head, Drinks Ireland Spirits, continues: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the category with our members producing high quality drinks for enjoyment by consumers here at home but also across some 120 export markets. These businesses are situated in every county across the country, creating jobs and stimulating local economic activity.

“Our exports have shown remarkable growth over the last decade, and we are confident of the long-term future development of our sector, nonetheless there are challenging economic headwinds impacting on the sector at present – inflationary impact on inputs and consumer spending globally, high excise duties and the cost of finance. 

“However, I know that David Boyd-Armstrong will bring his years of invaluable experience and expertise to the role of Chair, and I look forward to working with him. I also want to sincerely thank our outgoing chair, Bryan Fallon, for his years of hard work.” 

Three FoodNI members producing alcoholic spirits are now at the forefront of initiatives demonstrating environmental responsibility.

The small producers of spirits – Boatyard Distillery in Enniskillen, Giant’s Basalt Distillery in Bushmills and Two Stacks, a bonding and bottling operation in Newry – are focusing resources on sustainability and providing inspirational leadership in what has become Northern Ireland’s most dynamic sector and an increasingly significant exporter.

Whiskey, gin, vodka and poitin are now shipped to customers in 30 global markets. Regular customers include major international distributors, hotels, bars and restaurants such as Core by Clare Smyth in London, number four in the world.

The growing focus on sustainability comes as consumers and retailers in most global markets are backing producers showing concern about the environment and carbon footprint.

One of a handful of companies here to achieve B Corp accreditation for its investment in sustainability, for example, is Boatyard, a distillery on Lough Erne founded by Joe McGirr, an industry pioneer. B Corp recognises a series of leading-edge initiatives Joe has taken to preserve the environment especially around the distillery’s picturesque Lough Erne base.

The distillery, a producer of a multi-award-winning double distilled gin as well as vodka and soon a single malt whiskey, was recently named Sustainable Company of the Year.

Boatyard has become one of the island’s most successful and a bartender favourite in London and further afield including, most recently, Seoul in South Korea. After a rigorous 14 -month validation process, the distillery earned B Corporation certification, making it the first distillery on the island to achieve this important rating. 

“The certification signals a huge milestone our ethical, sustainable, and environmentally conscious mission,” says Joe. “B Corp certification rewards the achievement of the highest levels of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and accountability,” he adds.

The certification also encapsulates a range of sustainability initiatives at the distillery. It has eliminated single-use glass bottles in visitor centre and created a bottle refill programme allowing customers to take their own bottle back to the distillery for refilling. More recently, it has launched a refill pouch bars and restaurants which uses 84 percent less packaging than a conventional bottle.

Two Stacks Irish Whiskey has just revealed a new bottle design featuring up to 70 percent recycled glass, as part of the brand’s market-led commitment to innovation, quality and environmental sustainability.

The new design, according to Shane McCarthy, one of the three founders of Two Stacks, features an embossed bottle design with natural cork stoppers.

The creation of the new bottles took two years of research and development process, with the objective of reducing the company’s carbon footprint. The design will be implemented throughout Two Stacks’ entire portfolio, debuting as part of the next chapter in the Polaris collection – a 7-year-old Pot Still – launching soon.

Shane explains: “We’re dedicated to setting new standards of excellence in Irish whiskey, and championing sustainability and accessibility in all that we do.

“We’ve seen other brands prioritising expensive ultra-clarity glass in their bottling when it has no effect on the quality of the spirit inside, and the reality is that this premium is passed on to customers to pay.

“We’re incredibly proud of our new embossed bottle design, made from recycled glass and natural branded cork. It’s important to us that our packaging reflects our core values and ethos, driving our sustainability strategy forward and helping shape the whiskey industry of tomorrow.

“We’re also introducing a reusable bottle bag with this release, to encourage people to reduce waste and over packaging, but still provide a premium gift bag, perfect for carrying your whiskey bottles or cans,” he adds.

Giant’s Basalt Distillery has also launched sustainable eco-refills, marking a significant milestone in an ongoing commitment to sustainability. Made to pair with the gin’s hexagonal and iconic glass bottle inspired by the Giant’s Causeway, the stylish aluminium bottles are designed to be delivered straight to the doorstep and used for refilling a glass gin bottle at home.

“We are passionate about preserving the unspoilt nature of our homeland, including the Giant’s Causeway on our doorstep, while also celebrating its magnificence. The introduction of our eco-refills was a conscious decision to make our luxury gin less impactful on nature by reducing waste generation and carbon output,” says joint founder James Richardson.  

“By offering an eco-friendly alternative, we aim to reduce waste and minimize our carbon footprint, all without compromising on the quality that has made Basalt Distillery a recognised name in the industry,” adds James.