Great Northern Distillery signs long‑term partnership with China's Tsingtao Brewery to expand Irish whiskey in China

Great Northern Distillery, one of Ireland’s largest independent whiskey producers, has signed a long‑term cooperation agreement with Tsingtao Brewery, a leading Chinese beverage company. The deal, finalised in Dublin on 30 July 2026, will see GND supply mature Irish whiskeys ranging from three‑year‑old to 21‑year‑old expressions and provide technical expertise as Tsingtao develops its own Chinese whiskey distillery. Both firms will create a specialist blending team to design whiskey labels tailored to Asian consumer tastes.

The partnership leverages Tsingtao’s extensive distribution network across China, aiming to tap a growing middle‑class market that is increasingly seeking premium international products. GND Chairman John Teeling said the agreement offers a “tremendous opportunity” to expand Irish whiskey in Asia, while Tsingtao Chairman Zhiwei Cai highlighted the potential for new product development.