The Islay Spirits Company, producer of The Original Islay Rum and the island’s first dedicated rum distillery, has agreed a distribution partnership with German premium spirits importer Kirsch Import.
Under the agreement, Kirsch Import will introduce the distillery’s core rum range to new retail and hospitality accounts across Germany. The move builds on the company’s existing direct-to-consumer business, which ships to customers across the UK through its website.
The Original Islay Rum portfolio comprises three expressions: Barrel Aged, rested in ex-peated Islay whisky casks; Geal, a pure single white rum; and Peat Spiced, which is smoked over a peat fire.
While Islay is internationally renowned for its whisky, rum has been produced at The Islay Rum Distillery since January 2022. Based in the restored Old Lemonade Factory in Port Ellen, the distillery is led by head distiller and distillery manager Ben Inglis.
In May, the business launched its first single-cask release, The Original Islay Rum Sherry Wood. The limited edition expression was restricted to 390 bottles.
The partnership follows a period of international recognition for the distillery. The Original Islay Rum Barrel Aged was awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026, receiving 98 points. It also won Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2025 and secured three stars at the Great Taste Awards 2026.
Kirsch Import was founded in 1976 by Dieter Kirsch and is marking its 50th anniversary this year. The family-owned business, based near Bremen, is now run by second-generation managing director Christoph Kirsch. It supplies more than 4,500 spirits to retailers and hospitality operators across Germany, including one of the country’s most extensive whisky portfolios.
Andrew Crook, director at The Islay Spirits Company, said: “As a family-owned, independent business, we feel very closely aligned with the Kirsch Import team. They share our values in good, honest business and they have seen the magic of The Original Islay Rum.
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“Germany is one of the most knowledgeable spirits markets in the world, and its drinkers already have a deep affection for Islay whisky. Kirsch has spent 50 years earning the trust of that audience, and there’s no better partner to introduce our rum to it.”
Christoph Kirsch, managing director at Kirsch Import, added: “Fifty years in this business makes you careful about what you take on. We get offered a lot of rum and say no to most of it, but this is their own spirit, distilled in Port Ellen, not bought in and dressed up.
“Islay is home ground for us. We have sold whisky from that island to German drinkers for decades, so we know the audience will be curious about this one.”
