​​‘Full throttle’ to success for Northern Ireland’s ‘Restless Spirit’ whiskey

“It’s been a full throttle few months at The Restless Spirit — and 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for Outwalker Irish Whiskey,” he predicts.

One of Northern Ireland’s most recent whiskey launches, Outwalker, he continues, has been building strength in the markets in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland through its partnership with Cork headquartered Classic Drinks, “gaining real momentum, delivering key strategic wins across the island of Ireland as we build long-term value in our home market”.

In Outwalker Irish whiskey, ‘Outwalker’ refers to a mythical, restless night time headless wanderer inspired by Irish folklore, specifically the Dullahan. The brand represents a ‘free spirit’ designed for those who go their own way, using this gothic figure to embody a character that gathers stories and shares good times.

The ‘Restless Spirit’ aims to appeal to adventurous, independent individuals.

Officially launched in Belfast in October 2023 by experienced hotelier Adrian McLaughlin, master distiller Jillian Vose and Sean Muldoon, formerly of New York’s famed Dead Rabbit Irish Bar, and ex-Ireland and Ulster rugby player Darren Cave, this brand is now part of a business partnership that includes Darryl McNally’s Limavady Single Barrel Irish whiskey, the recently launched Carnlough Irish Whiskey, and the Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough, Ireland’s first whiskey hotel.

McLaughin and McNally, a former master distiller at Old Bushmlls in Co Antrim, Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery.

The partnership, he continues “combines expertise in mixology, hospitality, and brand development”.

Outwalker was created as a collaborative project focused on developing a modern Irish whiskey blend that was crafted by Jillian Vose, and the honey colour whiskey is a blend of single malt (from white Burgundy casks), pot still (Oloroso sherry casks), and grain whiskeys (virgin American oak and rye casks). The spirit was developed over three years by the founders to offer something genuinely different, a distinctive taste, colour and brand identity‘.

The idea for Outwalker was forged over many years ago in Belfast’s luxury hotel The Merchant and combines Jillian’s expertise with that of leading Irish hospitality guru Sean Muldoon, co-founders of Hazel and Apple in in Charleston, North Carolina, award-winning hotelier and entrepreneur Adrian McLaughlin, and hospitality business expert, Darren Cave, the ex-Ireland and Ulster rugby player...Distilled, blended, aged, and then bottled in Ireland, Outwalker, Gary adds, “is rooted in tradition while reflecting the world of today”.

With over 40 distilleries in Ireland producing huge amounts of whiskey a year, the market has grown significantly.

Millions of cases are being sold in global markets, especially North America, and adding over £500 million to the Irish economy. Irish whiskey is now increasingly enjoyed across generations. The explosion of craft whiskey cocktails among women and younger drinkers has helped fuel the industry’s growth.

The whiskey partners all featured in an extensive promotional programme of “portfolio tastings and new product development previews in London, Glasgow, Donegal, “bringing the story, the liquid and the ambition directly to the trade”, according to Gary. The business, he adds, is focused on “building relationships in key markets that matter”.

“We’ve also been delighted from the support and feedback that we’ve received from the launch and development of our new trade engagement and education programme at the Harbourview Hotel.

"These have been hugely successful. They’ve been a standout — immersive, collaborative and built for the long-term,” he adds.

Another successful initiative was the “unveiling of our Outwalker 6-Year-Old Single Pot Still.

“This is a special edition placed with a carefully curated network of pubs and specialist retailers across Ireland”.

Strategically important international developments have ranged from “signature serves and key account wins in London with Bright Drinks, to our Italian debut at the Milano Whiskey and the Rum Festival with OnestiGroup, as well as a focused specialty retail rollout in the Netherlands with Henk van Pelt. it’s been quality growth with the right partners.

“We connected with the global trade at Bar Convent Berlin, and even took to the high seas with Irish Whiskey Experiences for the inaugural Irish Whiskey Cruise.”

The company also continued its” focused development across home and international markets with our regional distribution and activation partners”.

“In 2026, there will be a fresh push into Scandinavia and the Nordics, with market visits planned across Europe. Key events ahead include the Cork Whiskey Festival, Whiskey Live Dublin, ProWein in Düsseldorf,” he adds.

The next phase would include “scaling our trade programme in Carnlough, deepening collaboration and shared success with both new and existing partners”.

The company would continue to back community events including rugby and support grassroots creativity through the SERAC ICE Cocktail Competition with Liquid Minds following our Innovation Award success at last year’s IFEX Culinary and Food Exhibition.

“And behind it all, there’ll be more storytelling, more culture, more Outwalker.”