Irish Whiskey Molly Malone targets new international business with Small Batch 70cl launch product

 The fast-developing Irish whiskey brand Molly Malone from The Molly Malone Whiskey Company is set to expand its international market reach with its launch product, Molly Malone Small Batch 70cl. 

Travel retail is among the key channels being targeted to sell and promote 70cl Molly Malone Small Batch. Its first listing has been achieved with Irish travel retailer Aer Rianta International at Dublin Airport. The Molly Malone Whiskey Company has appointed Garry Maxwell of GMAX Travel Retail to handle the Molly Malone brand’s expansion in the duty free channel.

 

The whiskey – primarily targeted to an Irish American audience – has been distilled using traditional Irish techniques. Small Batch is not from a single distillery but drawn from a number of carefully-selected Irish distilleries using the finest Irish malts and grains. They have been crafted in small batches to create a premium Irish whiskey.

 

The Molly Malone Whiskey Company was founded by Richard Lombard-Chibnall, who previously spent 30 years working for the family company, Lombard Scotch Whisky, latterly as Global Brand Director. Richard’s family have traded in wine and spirits since the late 17th century and 60 years ago became one of the founding independents of the whisky industry.

 

The name of the brand was made famous in modern times by the popular song “Molly Malone” (also known as “Cockles and Mussels”), which is set in Dublin, Ireland and based on a character of the same name from the seventeenth century. The song – which has become a uniting celebration of the Irish – is most strongly associated with supporters of the Irish national rugby team, who sing it with emotion at international matches.

 

During the Dublin Millennium celebrations in 1988 Molly Malone was given her own National Day (13 June) and back in 2011 a leading internet search engine reported that the name was achieving more than one million hits per year.

 

Molly Malone Small Batch 70cl is light on the palate and deliciously sweet. To enhance the flavour of the whiskey without overpowering the light character of the malt, second fill bourbon casks are used from Quercus Alba, which is the highest grade American white oak (bourbon having already absorbed the coconut and vanilla tannins of the new wood). 

 

On 1 April, the product was boosted by the award of a Silver Medal by the Spirits Business in its 2022 Spring Tasting Competition.

 

Richard Lombard-Chibnall said: “Molly Malone is in the DNA of the Irish and we have created an initial product which has been very well-received and that we are very proud of. We have major plans to grow the brand internationally and make Molly Malone Irish Whiskey become known as the go to drink for ‘a celebration of Ireland’.”

Richard Lombard-Chibnall

  

Of Garry Maxwell’s appointment, Richard added: “Garry has worked in travel retail for over 40 years in all forms of the business and is excited to be working with such an iconic brand name as Molly Malone. Equally, we are delighted to secure his experience and services for taking Molly Malone into more airports and other travel retail locations across the world.”