Bacardi Limited is now the sole owner of the TEELING Irish whiskey brand. The move marks the latest chapter in a partnership that began nearly a decade ago.
While Bacardi now assumes full ownership of the Dublin-based whiskey producer, founders Jack and Stephen Teeling will remain involved with the brand as strategic advisors, helping guide its future growth and innovation.
Bacardi Deepens Its Investment in Irish Whiskey
Bacardi first established its relationship with the Teeling Whiskey Company in 2017 through a minority investment before increasing its ownership stake to majority control in 2022. The completion of this latest transaction gives Bacardi full ownership of one of the most recognized premium Irish whiskey brands in the world.
“TEELING is the perfect fit for Bacardi,” said Mahesh Madhavan, Chief Executive Officer of Bacardi Limited. “The brand stands for quality, craftsmanship and a fearless approach to the category with fresh ideas and innovative new whiskeys. The hundreds of awards it’s received say everything about its success. There is so much long-term potential for the Irish whiskey category globally and with TEELING we are perfectly positioned to take advantage of every opportunity.”
The acquisition expands Bacardi’s growing premium whiskey portfolio, which already includes several globally recognized spirits brands.
Teeling Whiskey Has More Than Doubled Since Bacardi’s Initial Investment
Since Bacardi’s initial investment nine years ago, the TEELING brand has experienced significant growth, more than doubling in size while expanding distribution to over 80 markets worldwide.
Founded in 2012 by brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling, the company quickly established itself as a leading force in the modern Irish whiskey renaissance through its emphasis on small-batch production, innovative maturation techniques, and premium positioning.
The brand has become known for pushing beyond traditional Irish whiskey conventions while maintaining a focus on craftsmanship and quality.
“My brother and I both know that at Bacardi, TEELING is in the best possible hands,” said Jack Teeling, Co-Founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company. “Working closely with the Bacardi team over the last nine years has proven to us that as a family-owned company, Bacardi appreciates the value of everything the TEELING brand stands for and its commitment to raising the bar for Irish whiskey.”
Teeling Distillery Helped Revitalize Dublin Whiskey Production
One of the brand’s defining achievements came in 2015 with the opening of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Dublin, which became the first new distillery established in the city in more than 125 years.
The distillery has since become a major tourism destination and symbol of Ireland’s whiskey resurgence, welcoming more than one million visitors while serving as a showcase for the company’s production methods and whiskey portfolio.
The facility has played a significant role in the broader revival of Irish whiskey production in Dublin, helping inspire a new generation of distillers throughout the city.
Irish Whiskey Continues to Present Growth Opportunities
Bacardi’s decision to assume full ownership of TEELING underscores continued confidence in the long-term growth prospects of the Irish whiskey category. Over the past decade, Irish whiskey has been among the fastest-growing global spirits categories, driven by premiumization, international expansion, and consumer interest in innovative expressions.
TEELING, which describes itself as the world’s most awarded Irish whiskey brand, has earned recognition from competitions including the World Whiskies Awards, International Wine & Spirit Competition, Irish Whiskey Masters, and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
With full ownership now complete, Bacardi and the Teeling family appear poised to continue expanding the brand’s global footprint while maintaining the innovative spirit that helped establish TEELING as one of the leading names in modern Irish whiskey.
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