John Teeling's Cooley Distillery has signed a three year British distribution deal.

Cooley, which produces two whiskey brands, Kilbeggan and Tyrconnell, has signed the deal with the Scottish & Newcastle subsidiary Waverly Vintners.

Waverly Vintners has a turnover of £110 million sterling from its 15,000 clients. Mr Teeling said the agreement was "very important" for the company. "If we can get into a fraction of the outlets serviced by them [Waverly Vintners] it will be very significant."

Under the agreement, Cooley and Waverly will jointly fund the marketing of the two whiskies, and distribution will be dramatically improved. Cooley had sales of £4 million last year, according to Mr Teeling.