Since its launch in April, istil 38 Superior Irish Vodka has been exceptionally well received by Ireland’s hospitality sector and drinks industry. Bars around the country have been mixing up all three of the brand’s flavours into classic cocktails and new delicious creations. And with two full time brand ambassadors, tastings in off licenses have been happening everywhere. Both the feedback and sales have been extremely positive. Istil 38 is produced in Meath with grain spirit in a 500 litre copper pot still.

It is owned by Sugarloaf Beverages, a company comprised of drinks industry veterans and lifestyle businesswoman Pippa O’Connor Ormond.The ABV is 38% . 5c from each bottle sold in Ireland will go towards Hometree for planting native Irish trees. RRP is €35

Available nationwide to the on-trade from distributors such as Classic Drinks, Comans, Gleeson, JJ Mahon’s, J&C Kenny, Barry Fitzwilliam, GH Lett’s and Slattery’s. It can be picked up in all independent off licenses, Molloy’s, O’Brien’s and Dunnes stores.

From left: Lorraine Heskin, Pippa O’Connor Ormond and Alison Kealy

Istil 38’s Creative Director and co-owner Pippa O’Connor Ormond, has been particularly blown away by the level of support from other female entrepreneurs. From restaurant and shop owners to event producers, women owned businesses have been especially helpful in growing istil38’s craft Irish vodka range so quickly.

To thank them for their backing, Pippa wants to establish “istil 38 Collaborators.” A collective of Irish female entrepreneurs who istil 38 can work together with in order to amplify all of their business’s. As Pippa herself explains,

“Through my work with istil 38 and my other businesses, I’ve been honoured to meet so many inspirational female entrepreneurs who have been instrumental in helping us grow our independent brands. I wanted to reach out to them and set up a project that will allow us to collaborate and support each other. The istil 38 Collaborators acknowledges the female Irish entrepreneurs who have assisted me on our journey and whom we want to continually keep working with.”

– Pippa O’Connor, Creative Director, Istil38

All of the istil 38 Collaborators are high achieving Irish female business owners and have worked with istil38 creating unique partnerships that promotes both their company and istil 38.

They are Lorraine Heskin of Gourmet Food Parlour and Gourmet Gifts and Alison Kealy of Kealy’s Pub and Chairwoman of the Licensed Vintners Association.

Alison is the third generation of her family to run the renowned Swords pub. Her grandfather Joe Kealy established the business in 1964 and Alison continues to maintain its stellar reputation among the community. In May of this year, Alison took on an additional role as Chairwoman of the Licensed Vintners Association which has seen her work tirelessly representing Ireland’s hospitality sector. For her istil 38 Collaborators promotion she will be selling the istil 38 Espresso Martini for €10.00 in Kealy’s for the rest of the year.

Hailing from a small village in Co. Galway, Lorraine Heskin studied at the University of Limerick before heading off to New York for three years, working in a diverse range of food businesses. On returning to Dublin, she opened the first Gourmet Food Parlour restaurant in Dun Laoghaire in 2006. Since then, Gourmet Food Parlour has grown into a very successful business employing over 200 people across its numerous locations. Gourmet Gifts launched in 2020 to meet the growing need of corporate customers who wanted the expertise of Lorraine and her team. Lorraine launched the business to great success, far exceeding revenue targets in the first two years of business. The new Gourmet Gifts platform expands on the growth to date and offers something more evolved to loyal and new customers alike.

Lorraine is working with istil 38 for her two businesses. In all of the Gourmet Food Parlours, customers will be able to enjoy a unique cocktail, istil Passionberry Martini for €10. And on www.GourmetGifts.ie, they will be featuring, “istil Perfect Present,” a hamper consisting of 1 x bottle of Istil38 Pot Still Vanilla Vodka, 1 x bottle of Istil38 Pot still Pink Berries Vodka, 1 x Rose Gold Cocktail Shaker and Jigger, 2 x Copper Tumbler Mugs and an experience card with 2 cocktail recipes – all for €120.

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