There’s no stopping them.

Having only entered the Asian market one year ago, Kinsale Spirit Company has completely surpassed expectations, taking three medals at The DB Asia Summer Tasting.

Founders Ernest Cantillon, Colin Ross, and Tom O’Riordan are celebrating today after their Spanish Earl Irish Whiskey, Red Earl Irish Whiskey, and Kinsale Gin nabbed the top spots in their categories at the competition, run by Drinks Business Asia.

Entries were assessed by a panel of leading industry experts, including master sommeliers, masters of wine, senior buyers and leading mixologists. The judges blind-tasted the best of wine and spirits, and awarded Silver to Red Earl Irish Whiskey, Gold to Kinsale Gin, and, for the most outstanding expressions, the coveted Master medal to Spanish Earl Irish Whiskey.

Kinsale Spirit Co.
Picture: Miki Barlok

Spanish Earl, the Master Medal winner, will be released in China this Summer, along with Great Earl.

“Our Red Earl has been in China for the past two years and sells very well both online and in shops and bars.” said co-founder Ernest Cantillon.

“Cork is twinned with Shanghai and we have spent the past four years building up relationships in China. The Chinese market is a challenging one but with big potential rewards, so we always felt it was worth the work.”

Cantillon said the win has created “the perfect launchpad” for the brand’s latest whiskey expression to be released into the Chinese market.

​​Kinsale Spirit Co will have space to hang their medals soon with their new distillery build beginning in Kinsale this year.