One of the Biggest Alcohol Companies in the World Is Halting Production at Its Only Irish Whiskey Distillery

(Photo: Roe & Co/Instagram)

Last week, the Business Post reported that Diageo — the world’s fourth-largest alcoholic beverage company — is halting production at Roe & Co, its lone Irish whiskey distillery.

“In order to optimise resources and support the sustainable future growth of our business, we have made the decision to put an extended pause on distillation at the Roe & Co Distillery,” Diageo said in a statement shared by the Business Post.

The visitor center will remain open to the public, and Diageo will continue to blend and package its current inventory of Roe & Co.

Diageo is known for brands including Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Don Julio, Ketel One, Bulleit, Aviation, Casamigos, Lagavulin and Ciroc. It started production on Roe & Co in 2017. An Irish whiskey brand seemed to make a great deal of sense for the company that owns two of Ireland’s most famous alcohol brands — Guinness and Baileys.

In March, Diageo announced it would pause production and barrel filling until June at its at its carbon-neutral whiskey distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky, in order to “support our efficiency and productivity goals.”

Elsewhere, distilleries have been slowing or shutting down production consistently over the past year amid a downturn in drinking and economic uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff plans — both factors the Business Post cited as possible reasons for Diageo’s decision to pause production at Roe & Co.

In April, Isle of Harris Distillery announced plans to reduce its production capacity and workforce. In January, Brown-Forman informed investors that it would be laying off about 12% of its global workforce and closing its Louisville-based cooperage.