Copeland Gin signs distribution deal in Estonia

One of Northern Ireland's niche gin producers has secured its first piece of business in a new European market.

Saintfield-based Copeland, which sources fresh fruit such as raspberries, blueberries and blackberries from farmers in Killinchy and other parts of Co Down, has signed a distribution deal in Estonian capital Tallinn for its small batch gins.

Copeland Gin, founded in 2016 by Gareth Irvine (25) from Bangor, has begun shipping its rhuberry gin, which is made with rhubarb and blackberries, raspberry and mint gin and a limited edition spiced apple and blackcurrants to Actimer Ou in Tallinin.

The deal in Estonia came about after Actimer's managing director tried Copeland Gin in Dublin as Mr Irvine explains: "He saw one of our gins in a bar in Dublin. He tried it, loved the distinctive fruity flavour and subsequently decided to give us a call. We see Estonia as a strategically important market that is positioned close to Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Russia.

"Our new distributor has contacts in many of these markets which we aim to develop in the year ahead," Mr Irvine added.

Copeland - which enjoyed business growth of 120 per cent last year - has been assisted by Invest NI in the past, and has won listings with major retailers such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury, Aldi, Lidl and Musgrave Group. It is also shipping its gins to Britain and the United Arab Emirates.