McConnell’s Irish Whisky expands into East Africa as Belfast distillery celebrates major award wins
Historic Belfast brand secures Tanzania distribution deal and claims top honours at the World Whiskies Awards 2026, marking a new chapter in its global growth
Belfast Distillery’s McConnell’s Irish Whisky is now being enjoyed in East Africa from a new distribution deal.
Distilled in a wing of the once infamous Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, recently landed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and home to over seven million people and located on the Swahili coast.
Dar es Salaam is now a cosmopolitan business centre for a rapidly growing population of African, Arab, German, and Indian commercial influences.
The distillery is also celebrating another major award in the Ireland round of the World Whiskies Awards 2026. McConnell’s won Best Irish Single Cask Single Malt for its 20 years old whisky from its Cromac Collection. It also won awards for Best Single Cask 13-20 years and Best Single Cask Overall.
The latest export success comes as the historic distillery gears up to celebrate its 250th launch of McConnell’s Irish whisky by Hugh, a grocer and ‘spirit dealer’ and Eleanor McConnell in 1776. After disappearing in the 1930’s because of Prohibition in the US, the historic brand was revived by the Belfast Distillery Company in 2019/20.
Experienced distributor Daniel Caruso, a premium whiskey specialist, says the deal “marks a major milestone for Newtownabbey-based Antrim Coast Distribution Ltd as we begin building the McConnell’s Whisky presence in Tanzania and East Africa”.
Caruso has vast experience of doing business in Tanzania and other African markets.
“Bringing McConnell’s Irish Whisky to Dar es Salaam is more than a commercial step, it’s about connecting Belfast’s whisky heritage with a fast-growing, premium market that is ready for new, high-quality brands,” adds Daniel.
“I’m also proud to announce that we will be sponsoring the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Embassy of Ireland in Dar es Salaam, where we will showcase Belfast Distillery Company and McConnell’s Irish Whisky with a dedicated bar concept and tasting experience. From Belfast to Dar es Salaam, putting Irish whisky into new spaces and places is just the beginning in Africa.”
McConnell’s has won over 40 international awards for the quality and innovation of its whiskies.