Aidan Mehigan, Founder of Natterjack Irish Whiskey, talks about 'The Mistake', a limited-edition whiskey aged accidentally longer. They discuss the whiskey market, brand expansion, liquor distribution challenges, sales strategies, authenticity in the spirits industry, and sustainability efforts tied to the brand.
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Quick takeaways
Natterjack Irish Whiskey focuses on education and partnerships to expand its US market presence effectively.
Embracing mistakes as opportunities, Natterjack's resilience and innovation drive its success in the whiskey market.
Deep dives
Growth in the US Market
Natterjack Irish Whiskey, founded by Aiden Megan, has seen significant progress in the US market with distribution in 14 states expanding to 20 and aiming for 25 by St. Patrick's Day. National recognition, like winning Irish Whiskey of the Year in 2024, has facilitated partnerships with major distributors such as Total Wine and More. This expansion involves educating distributors on the brand's story and incentivizing their involvement to effectively convey Natterjack's uniqueness and value.
Overcoming Challenges in Distribution
Securing distribution for a small independent player like Natterjack involves a meticulous approach to each state's liquor laws and markets. By partnering with individual distributors in each market and investing in a growing team, including national sales and marketing directors, Natterjack ensures that its brand message is effectively communicated across different regions. Although a slow and demanding process requiring extensive travel and education efforts, this strategy aims to establish a strong presence and storytelling capacity in each new market.
Adapting to Mistakes and Innovating
Despite facing challenges like pricing missteps during the pandemic and unexpected whiskey aging mishaps, Natterjack embraces these errors as learning opportunities. A mistake in storing whiskey turned into a successful product launch, highlighting the brand's resilience and adaptability. A focus on experimentation and quality drives Natterjack to continue innovating and delivering products that resonate with consumers seeking authenticity and distinctive experiences in the whiskey market.
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Aidan Mehigan, Founder of Natterjack Irish Whiskey, discusses The Mistake, a limited-edition bourbon-forward Irish whiskey that was accidentally left in 46 of the producer’s Virgin American oak casks for an additional year. Hosts: Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. Producer: Paul Brennan.