Dram half full: Irish whiskey SMEs upbeat amid category slowdown
Against a backdrop of tough trading conditions in Irish whiskey's top market, the category's SMEs still see opportunities for growth.
13 July 2026
13 July 2026
Against a backdrop of tough trading conditions in Irish whiskey's top market, the category's SMEs still see opportunities for growth.
Blue Sky Drinks was formed last year after acquiring Australian distiller Top Shelf International and local RTD business Gravity Drinks.
The owner of the Vimto brand said the range is “designed to tap into growing consumer demand for health, wellness and functional beverages”.
The transition concludes the spirits maker’s current UK distribution partnership with Global Brands.
The shots are launching in Waitrose, and will later be rolled out online through Ocado and "other retailers", the group said.
The outperformance in international versus North American foods and drinks prompted one analyst to describe the scenario as “pretty stunning”.
The French drinks group took a minority stake in the non-alc cocktails brand three years ago.
New rules are being introduced by to “reduce health risks and social harms”, the country’s government said.
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