Family-Run Irish Distillery Introduces Three Aged Whiskeys and Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur to the U.S. Market
October 14, 2026 (County Wicklow, Ireland & Henderson, NV) — Garden County Irish Whiskey, a family-run distillery with a focus on reviving historic Irish whiskey styles, is making its U.S. debut with an initial portfolio of four craft spirits.
Garden County has appointed Henderson, NV-based A21 Wine and Spirits to represent the brand in the U.S. and oversee distribution and sales. The initial portfolio includes Garden County 5-Year-Old Single Grain, 8-Year-Old Single Grain, and 7-Year-Old Single Malt, along with Garden County Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur.
Founded by father and son Michael and Gavin Clifford in County Wicklow, long known as the “Garden of Ireland,” Garden County was created to explore and revive the heritage of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Historically, the style was made with mixed mash bills that could include oats, rye, and other grains alongside malted and unmalted barley, with recipes varying by distillery and region.
“We don’t want to make another Irish whiskey that tastes like everything else on the shelf,” said Gavin Clifford. “Over the years, a lot of the old Irish whiskey recipes and styles disappeared as distilleries closed and the industry consolidated. We’re going back and exploring some of those traditions — different grains, different mash bills and different ways of creating robust flavors.”
“American whiskey drinkers want to know more about what’s in the bottle, so we think there’s an opportunity to show them a side of Irish whiskey they may not have experienced before,” he added. “It’s also personal for me. The U.S. is where I first became fascinated with craft distilling.”
Clifford spent several years in New York, working behind the bar as the American craft spirits movement was taking off. After returning to Ireland, he and his father started the business in 2016. They began with gin while laying down whiskey and planning their own distillery.
Built from the ground up specifically to produce Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Garden County’s distillery uses small, hand-beaten copper stills and double distillation to retain more weight, spice, and character in the finished spirit.
The initial U.S. portfolio includes:
- Garden County 5-Year-Old Single Grain — A light and elegant single grain matured in ex-bourbon and seasoned Oloroso sherry casks. Bottled at 46% ABV. Suggested U.S. retail price: $39.99.
- Garden County 8-Year-Old Single Grain — A bold, full-bodied single grain matured in virgin American oak, ex-bourbon and ex-rye casks. Bottled at 46% ABV. Suggested retail price: $49.99.
- Garden County 7-Year-Old Single Malt — A distinctive limited release single malt matured in virgin American oak, ex-bourbon and ex-maple syrup casks. Bottled at 46% ABV. Suggested retail price: $59.99.
- Garden County Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur — Made with Brazilian Arabica coffee roasted nearby and cold-brewed at the distillery for 48 hours, then filtered and combined with house-made Demerara syrup and neutral spirit. Bottled at 25% ABV. Suggested retail price: $24.99.
Garden County has been building a strong following in Ireland, where recent single-cask and limited-edition releases have sold out, and its whiskeys have earned recognition in international spirits competitions. The brand is also available in parts of Europe and Asia and added distribution in India and Nigeria this year.
Garden County’s partnership with A21 grew out of work that began last year, when the company appointed Jay Abdo, Adit Kalra and Gerard Garland to a strategic board to help expand its international business. Their backgrounds span finance, entrepreneurship and spirits, with Garland bringing years of experience working on the prestige portfolio at Irish Distillers/Pernod Ricard. Also, Andrew Stewart, a veteran of more than 30 years in the U.S. drinks industry, joined that effort in March, working day to day to build Garden County’s U.S. business.
In the U.S., Garden County will focus first on established whiskey markets before expanding more broadly. The initial rollout will include Florida and the Northeast, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, with additional markets to follow.
“We’re delighted to partner with A21 Wine and Spirits to build Garden County Irish Whiskey in the U.S.,” said Clifford. “What stood out from our first conversations was their focus on building brands for the long term. That matters to us, and we look forward to building a lasting partnership.”
“Garden County is exactly the kind of producer we want to work with,” added Mark Newman, CEO of A21 Wine and Spirits. “Gavin and his family are making whiskey on a small scale, doing much of the work themselves and putting flavor first. U.S. whiskey drinkers have more choices than ever, but Garden County offers them a very different and unique side of Irish whiskey.”
About Garden County Irish Whiskey
Garden County Irish Whiskey is a family-run craft distillery in County Wicklow, Ireland, founded by father and son Michael and Gavin Clifford. Garden County is focused on reviving the heritage of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey through mixed mash bills, small-batch production and a range of cask types. The distillery also produces Garden County Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur and limited-edition and single-cask whiskeys. gardencountyirishwhiskey.com.
About A21 Wine and Spirits
A21 Wine and Spirits is a national wine and spirits sales, marketing, and brand management agency focused on developing premium beverage brands throughout the United States. Through its national sales organization and growing distributor network, A21 provides supplier partners with market strategy, distributor management, national account development, on- and off-premise execution, and long-term brand-building support.
A21’s portfolio includes the owned brands of Noble Oak, Monkey in Paradise Craft Vodka, one of the fastest growing vodkas in the US, Ándale Luxury Tequila, Blue Nectar Tequila, and the agency brands of Finca Ferrer Wines from Argentina, Chateau d’Astros from Provence France, and now Garden County Irish Whiskey.
For more information, visit https://www.apogee21holdings.com/
About Apogee 21 Holdings Inc.
Apogee 21 Holdings Inc. is an OTC public company producing and supporting brands in the wine, spirits and beverage category based in Henderson, Nevada. The company intends to bolt on brands under its A21 Wine & Spirits operating unit which will be providing full production, and sales/marketing support for its brands. Currently the company owns Noble Oak, Ándale Luxury Tequila, Monkey in Paradise Craft Vodka, Blue Nectar Tequila and has the agency representation of Finca Ferrer wines from Argentina, Chateau d’Astros from Provence, France, and Garden County Irish Whiskey.
