Pirate queen makes a swashbuckling entry into Irish whiskey market

Stefan Hansen, Stephen Cope and Hendrick Melle at the launch of Grace O’Malley Irish WhiskeyFergal Phillips

The 16th-century pirate queen Grace O’Malley has provided the inspiration for the latest entrant to the booming Irish whiskey sector.

The brand is a joint venture by Mayo businessman Stephen Cope, Irish marketing executive Jeff Burns, and Berlin-based brand building entrepreneurs Stefan Hansen and Hendrick Melle.

The initial launch involves a ‘captain’s range’ of aged Irish whiskeys, including a selection of 18-year-old single malts with special cask finish. Eventually Cope plans to have ...