Since co-founding Glendalough Distillery in 2011 – and helping guide the company through its acquisition by Mark Anthony Brands International in 2019 – Donal O’Gallachoir (below) has more than played his part in the recent development of the Irish whiskey category. Today, he’s head of commercial operations in the US with Cobblestone Brands, the brand owner and developer that he co-founded five years ago.
You’ve spent much of your career in the spirits industry, particularly in Irish whiskey. What is it about the category that appeals to you?
I grew up in Ireland and was first introduced to the drinks industry through promotional work for some iconic Irish brands in my late teens. My interest in Irish whiskey was immediate, and that led me to explore the category’s history, from its rise and decline to its remarkable global resurgence.
Over the years, I learned the business from a variety of perspectives, gaining experience across multiple roles and learning from many talented people along the way. I’ve had the opportunity to work with great brands, help found a distillery and, most recently, become a custodian of Knappogue Castle single malt and Clontarf Irish whiskey (acquired from Pernod Ricard in July last year).
The combination of heritage, craftsmanship and storytelling is what continues to make Irish whiskey such a fascinating category.
You and your original Glendalough partners formed Cobblestone Brands in 2021. What inspired the decision to launch a drinks company post-pandemic?
We were very proud of what we built with Glendalough and the impact the brand made on Irish whiskey and Irish gin. We founded Cobblestone to bring the team back together again. We all have a passion for building brands and each [of us] brings a unique skill set.
Another entrepreneurial venture was something we continuously discussed after Glendalough was acquired [by Mark Anthony Brands International in 2019]. We did it after the pandemic because we couldn’t do it during the pandemic! That said, consumption was at an all-time high and, post-Covid, things looked extremely bright for the spirits category.
We’ve always seen opportunity in adversity: Glendalough was founded in a recession and Cobblestone at the tail end of Covid. We’re a relatively young team and have always known there was a second venture in us. We learned a great deal from the first and wanted to do it bigger and better the second time around.
Changing demographics, economic pressures, health concerns and tariffs have made for a challenging few years in the spirits industry. While others are scaling back, Cobblestone appears to be in a stage of growth. What’s driving this?
We believe it’s important to view today’s challenges against a backdrop of historic highs and the Covid and post-Covid consumption boom. How people drink is evolving and, to some degree, that is cyclical.
There is, and will continue to be, substantial demand for established categories like gin, rum and whiskey, both in the US and internationally. Irish whiskey, for example, has stabilised after years of remarkable growth and remains a strong category. At the same time, innovative segments such as spirit-based RTDs and THC beverages are evolving quickly.
Consumers are experimenting with new products, occasions are changing and drinking habits continue to shift. We believe that growth is being driven by creative brands developing new offerings and consumers exploring how, when and what they drink.
The Cobblestone portfolio is built around that balance. We have our ‘heritage’ pillar with Knappogue Castle and Clontarf; our ‘new-to-world’ pillar with Four Corners Gin and Star & Key Rum, and our ‘innovative’ pillar with Casa San Lucas THC and Irished Up Cold Brew Irish Coffee RTD (below).
Together, they allow us to participate in both established and emerging consumer occasions.
Why did you choose to launch an Irish coffee RTD (late last year), and what are your aspirations for the brand?
This is a bit of a passion project, but it’s also rooted in clear market dynamics. We were watching several powerful trends converge: the growth of spirits-based RTDs, the rise of cold brew and coffee cocktails, and the continued momentum of Irish whiskey.
Despite that, there was a clear white space. There was no authentic Irish coffee RTD being executed at a premium level that truly delivered on taste.
On a personal level, after more than a decade in the Irish whiskey industry – and countless family gatherings where I was on Irish coffee duty – the serve had become more than just a cocktail to me. It’s part of Irish culture and tradition. At the same time, I could see how progressive Irish bars were evolving it through modern interpretations and new serves, which showed us there was room to bring Irish coffee into new formats and occasions.
Irished Up was more than three years in development. We focused on quality – aged Irish single malt whiskey, single-origin Colombian cold brew and nitro infusion to recreate the texture and experience of a proper Irish coffee. The goal was to deliver a genuine bar-quality experience in a can.
What excites us most is the versatility. Irish coffee is no longer just an after-dinner serve – it can fit brunches, lunches, golf outings, tailgate gatherings and at-home occasions. Following a strong launch and positive consumer response, we’re increasingly confident in the opportunity to establish Irished Up as the whiskey-and-coffee brand within the RTD category.
What was behind the decision to add Clontarf and Knappogue Castle (above) to your portfolio?
Everyone at Cobblestone has a deep connection to, and appreciation for, Irish whiskey. We’d admired both Knappogue Castle and Clontarf for many years, not only for their quality, but also for the important roles they’ve played in the evolution of the category. When the opportunity arose to become custodians of these brands, it felt like a natural fit.
Knappogue Castle is renowned for its releases of vintage-dated, single-cask and small-batch expressions, while Clontarf has built a loyal following as an approachable and respected Irish brand over decades. We’re honoured to steward these iconic names and excited to guide them into their next chapter while preserving the authenticity and heritage that have made them so beloved.
What plans do you have for the brands?
Our vision is simple: to honour the legacy of Knappogue Castle and Clontarf while unlocking their full potential for a new generation of consumers. We’re committed to investing in their long-term growth, expanding their reach and continuing to tell the rich stories that make them so distinctive.
Consumer interest in Irish whiskey continues to grow. How are you tapping into it?
Irish whiskey remains one of the most dynamic categories in global spirits, combining rich heritage with tremendous growth potential. We believe Knappogue Castle and Clontarf are ideally positioned to play meaningful roles in the category’s next phase of growth.
With Knappogue Castle, we intend to revive the brand’s pioneering legacy in vintage releases, single casks and limited-edition expressions. For Clontarf, we see an opportunity to build on its reputation as an exceptional blend while introducing thoughtful innovation that appeals to both existing fans and new consumers. Together, these brands reflect both the heritage and future of Irish whiskey.
What trends in spirits do you foresee over the next 12 months?
It’s tough to forecast future trends, but there are a few categories we’re confident in. Spirits-based RTDs will continue to premiumise, with the category evolving beyond brighter, tropical flavours. Coffee in cocktails has been a massive trend, driven in part by the growth of cold brew and coffee culture, and we see the Irish coffee as the natural next phase of that occasion.
Irish whiskey should return to modest growth in the super-premium and ultra-premium segments, while premium rum and gin will continue to grow steadily. Brands will need compelling offerings to compete in these established categories.
The THC beverage space is one of the most interesting adjacencies to alcohol right now – not as a replacement for spirits, but as a complementary occasion. What we’re seeing is a consumer looking for more control, moderation and sessionability, particularly in social and daytime settings where traditional alcohol doesn’t always fit.
For us, the opportunity isn’t about disrupting spirits, it’s about expanding the overall drinks repertoire and ensuring we have brands that meet consumers across a broader range of occasions and need states.
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