WATERFORD DISTILLERY APPOINTS CRAFTWORK AS NEW UK DISTRIBUTOR

4th April 2024: Waterford Distillery, producer of the world’s most naturally flavoursome single malt whiskies, has appointed Craftwork as its new UK distributor. Craftwork will now expedite product roll-out for the full Waterford Whisky range.

Under the new distribution partnership, announced today, Waterford Whisky will benefit from expanded UK distribution operations. The award-winning products will reach even more UK consumers who value transparency, provenance and natural flavours.

As specialists in distributing premium beverage brands, the appointment of Craftwork marks a vital time of development for Waterford  – highlighting a commitment to the UK market as consumer demand for premium offerings remain high. In total, rum accounts for 14% of all spirit sales in the UK, and whisky owning a 13% share*.

With an established global reputation and recent expansion into the US market, European sales for both Waterford Whisky are growing at pace. With a wide variety of whisky bottlings to choose from, the line-up will include signature bottlings and a brand-new core range of original natural whiskies and rums, over the next two years.

Waterford Whisky were launched in 2014 and 2018 respectively by CEO and Founder, Mark Reynier, who boasts more than four decades of industry experience. Both brands combine world-leading terroir technology with locally-grown ingredients, to distil the world’s most flavoursome single malt whisky expressions.

James Cowan, Sales Director at Waterford Whisky says:

“Craftwork is established as an influential and leading distributer across the beverage segment within the UK market, and I am delighted to assign Waterford Whisky  to their existing product offering.

“We are excited at the prospect of building upon our existing distribution and look forward to a successful partnership, furthering both brands’ presence in the UK as a key territory to support growth.”

Mark Dawkins, Founder and Managing Director of Craftwork, added:

“At Craftwork, we are committed to working with the best producers, brand owners and products for our prestige portfolio. Couple that with our vision to grow our whisky and rum portfolio, and it doesn’t get any better than every credential of Waterford Distillery .

“We are delighted to be the new UK importer distributor and cannot wait to work with the team, on these brands, with our customers.”

*Data from CGA by Nielsen IQ

About Waterford Whisky  

Waterford Whisky produces the most naturally flavoursome single malts.

It is the world’s largest producer of organic and biodynamic whiskies.

It is agricultural produce, not a manufactured product.

Unashamedly influenced by the world’s greatest winemakers, Waterford Whisky obsessively brings the same intellectual drive, methodology and rigour to barley – the very source of malt whisky’s complex flavour.

Extolling a hundred exclusive farms of Irish-grown barley, the distillery searches for natural flavours via three paths: its Single Farm Origins pursue the individualism of terroir-derived flavour; its Arcadian Farm Origins express the intensity of flavour from alternative philosophies and long-forgotten varieties; whilst its Cuvée Concepts revel in the ultimate complexity, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

For more information, visit www.waterfordwhisky.com.

About Craftwork 

Craftwork, founded in 2018, has established itself very quickly as a full-service UK importer distributor, building an enviable portfolio of premium spirits.

A balance of heritage & tradition, coupled with modernity & innovation, from brand partners such Grupo Osborne from Spain, Scapegrace from New Zealand, Cockspur Rum from Barbados, Rebel Bourbon & Rye from Kentucky, Axia Extra-Dry Mastiha from Greece, and Biggar & Leith (Shanky’s Whip from Ireland, Butterfly Cannon Tequila, Stambecco Liqueurs and Hotel Starlino Aperitivo from Italy), make up their core premium & prestige portfolio.

This has enabled Craftwork to build a broad customer base across all trading channels, supplying Multiple Grocers, on trade wholesale & retail, and e-commerce extensively.