“We set out to create remarkable brands that would compete with the best in the world. We never set out to create a regional brand or a local brand”
In 2014, drinks entrepreneur Pat Rigney put everything he had saved during his career to launch The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. Now, the business is turning over more than €15 million in revenues while its Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is sold in more than 60 countries. It also produces vodka, whiskey and recently opened a €3 million visitor centre.
In this podcast with Alison Cowzer, Rigney talks about getting the business off the ground and his ambitions for the future. He also talks about his own career – from helping scale Baileys internationally to co-founding – and selling – the company behind Boru Vodka. He also talks about the future of hospitality after the pandemic, the importance of the brand and the secrets to scaling internationally.