Great Northern Distillery has pivoted east. The Tsingtao deal explains why Ireland’s whiskey producers are looking beyond the US

Great Northern Distillery, one of Ireland’s largest independent whiskey producers, has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Tsingtao Brewery, China’s second-largest brewer, to distribute Irish whiskey across the Chinese market. The agreement was announced on 30 July 2026. Under the deal, Great Northern Distillery will supply Tsingtao with mature Irish whiskeys ranging from three to 21 years old across its full portfolio, which Tsingtao will distribute through its national network. Separately, Great Northern will provide technical expertise and support to Tsingtao as the Chinese company develops its own domestic whiskey distillery. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.