Top team boosted at Tullamore Dew

SCOTTISH SPIRITS group William Grant Sons has bolstered its top team at Tullamore Dew here.

Irishman Shane Hoyne has been recruited from Dutch brewer Heineken as global brand director, while John Quinn’s 30 years of service has been rewarded with his appointment as its first global brand ambassador.

Hoyne spent 13 years with Heineken, latterly in New York where he was a senior brand director for its US branch.

Hoyne is no stranger to Tullamore Dew, having worked as a brand manager on the whiskey when it was part of Grant’s of Ireland in the 1990s.

He will be responsible for the worldwide management, growth and direction of Tullamore Dew – which was made one of William Grant’s six core brands after its acquisition last year from CC.

Tullamore Dew is the second biggest Irish whiskey behind Pernod Ricard’s Jameson. It has benefited from the spike in global sales of the spirit in recent years.

Irish whiskey will be under the spotlight this weekend at the Mansion House in Dublin when the first Irish Whiskey Live industry event is staged.

Quinn will be there running “tasting master classes” that will provide a “showcase of ideal food combinations with Tullamore Dew”. It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it.