Overview: The Islay Spirits Company has established a partnership with Kirsch Import to distribute its award-winning spirits across Germany. Production operations commenced in January 2022 at the restored Old Lemonade Factory in Port Ellen, marking a significant expansion for the Scottish family-run distillery.
The Full Story
The Islay Spirits Company, best known for producing The Original Islay Rum, has announced that the German family-run firm Kirsch Import will distribute its rums to hospitality businesses and retailers throughout Germany. The Scottish firm operates the island’s first dedicated rum distillery and already sells its products across the UK before this international expansion. Production of their spirits began in January 2022 in the restored Old Lemonade Factory in Port Ellen, and the business has quickly grown.
The partnership aligns with the values of both organizations. Andrew Crook, director at The Islay Spirits Company, welcomed the news, hailing the German market as one of the most knowledgeable spirits markets in the world. He noted that as a family-owned, independent business, they feel very closely aligned with the Kirsch Import team, which shares their values in good, honest business. Christoph Kirsch, managing director at Kirsch Import, stated that after 50 years in business his firm has been offered a “lot of rum” and that they have to be “careful” with what brands they decide to work with.
The Original Islay Rum Barrel Aged has taken home Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026, won Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2025, and was awarded three stars at Great Taste 2026. Christoph Kirsch emphasized that while they get offered a lot of rum and say no to most of it, this is their own spirit, distilled in Port Ellen, not bought in and dressed up.
Production & Profile
The Original Islay Rum Barrel Aged rests in ex-peated Islay whisky casks. Production takes place at the restored Old Lemonade Factory located in Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland. The facility serves as the production base for the spirits distributed by Kirsch Import near Bremen.
Brand & Industry History
The Islay Spirits Company operates as a Scottish family-run distillery. Meanwhile, Kirsch Import was founded in 1976 by Dieter Kirsch and is currently run by second-generation Christoph Kirsch at its base near Bremen. The business supplies retailers and the hospitality sector across Germany with more than 4500 spirits on offer, including one of the country’s most extensive whisky portfolios.
What This Means
This distribution deal follows a run of international recognition for the Islay Spirits Company. Kirsch Import has spent 50 years earning the trust of that audience and there is no better partner to introduce their rum to it. Islay is home ground for the importer, who have sold whisky from that island to German drinkers for decades, so they know the audience will be curious about this one.
Consumer Takeaway
This release offers a barrel-aged rum distilled in Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland. The spirit is aged in ex-peated Islay whisky casks and is distributed by Kirsch Import near Bremen for German retailers and hospitality businesses.
Source: Read the original article
