Boatyard Distillery expands global export ambitions with new deal bringing its premium gin and vodka to bars, restaurants and consumers across Albania

Cocktail lovers in one of Europe’s most remote and little-known nations will soon be enjoying premium spirits from Fermanagh’s multi-award-winning Boatyard Distillery.

The distillery, founded in by industry stalwart Joe McGirr, a native of Fermanagh, on the banks of picturesque Lough Erne in 2016 is now exporting to Albania through a designated local market distributor, bringing respected brands like Boatyard Double Gin and vodka to bars, restaurants, and consumers across the country.

The distillery has also just launched a unique Gin in a Tin, a canned version of its double gin.

placeholder image — Double Gin in a Tin from Boatyard Distillery in Fermanagh

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The latest success in Albania follows an earlier deal to export double gin and vodka to India, now one of the world’s biggest markets for spirits.

Boatyard’s new distributor in Albania says. “We are excited to bring one of Ireland’s most respected craft distilleries to premium bars, restaurants and consumers Tirana, the capital city and other centres across. the country.”

Recognised by the Drinks International Brands Report, Boatyard Double Gin is ranked as the number six Best Selling Gin Brand among the world’s leading bars, while Boatyard vodka has earned its place among the Top 10 Best Selling Vodka Brands, as well as one of the Top Trending Vodka Brands globally.

The spirits market in Albania is anchored by traditional home-brewed and commercial Raki, a potent fruit brandy distilled from grapes, plums, or mulberries and locally distilled Skenderbeu Cognac, a grape brandy named after the country’s national hero.

Albania’s beverage imports, nevertheless, total $204million. Spirit imports from western Europe, especially vodka and whisky, have been growing steadily over the past five years. The market balances widespread local production with growing demand for premium international whiskies, gins, and vodkas distributed across the country.

Declan McGurk, Boatyard’s managing director, says: “We are delighted to have partnered with such an experienced distributor in Albania and look forward to supporting efforts to introduce our unique gins and vodka to such a potentially significant marketplace. It’s another stage in our strategy to grow global exports of our premium spirits. We see extensive opportunities for our award-winning spirit in leading bars, restaurants, and hotels in key centres such a Tirana, the capital.”