THE family behind a group of three Scottish bars has added to its growing drinks portfolio with the launch of an Irish whiskey.
Malones Triple Cask Irish Whiskey is the latest drinks product to be launched by Edinburgh-based Smugglers Spirits, the drinks company launched in 2020 by the Keane family, owners of Malones pubs in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The family said the spirit, which was distilled in Dublin and matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry and ex-red ale casks before being bottled at 42% ABV, is designed to be versatile enough to drink neat or in long serves and cocktails.
Simon Keane, who owns the company with brother Robin and father Robert, said: “As a family-run business, whiskey is something we are very passionate about.
“Whether you distil, consume or sell whiskey you can’t help but fall in love with all the complexity and variations whiskey has to offer.
“We have taken our family’s collective decades of knowledge and worked together with one of the best master distillers in Ireland to create a versatile whiskey that represents the best of the old world as well as the new.”
The Keanes originally hailed from County Waterford in Ireland before relocating to Aberdeen, where they opened the first Malones bar, subsequently expanding into Edinburgh and then Glasgow. In addition to Malones whiskey, Smugglers Spirits – which the family set up in 2020 – produces gin brands Smuggler’s and Old Sins.
