US-based spirits company Luxco has acquired a controlling stake in the Irish liqueur company Niche Drinks.

Financial details of the transaction have not been divulged by both the companies.

Niche Drinks has been working with Luxco for several years producing Luxco’s Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream and collaborating on global brand The Quiet Man Irish whiskey.

Based in Derry, Ireland, Niche Drinks has been producing cream liqueurs, Irish coffee and ready-to-drink cocktails for its retail partners located in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the US.

Niche Drinks managing director Ciaran Mulgrew said: “Luxco has impressive distillery experience; having built Lux Row Distillers and partnered with Limestone Branch Distillery, both in Kentucky, and is nearing completion of a tequila distillery in Arandas, Mexico.

““Luxco has impressive distillery experience, which will be a tremendous asset as we proceed with The Quiet Man Craft Distillery.”

“This experience will be a tremendous asset as we proceed with The Quiet Man Craft Distillery at Ebrington Square.”

Established in 1958, Luxco is a family-owned business that produces and imports alcoholic beverage products.

Luxco’s brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka and Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream.

Luxco chairman and CEO Donn Lux said: “This is a very exciting time for Luxco and Niche. We have worked closely with Ciaran and his team for more than 30 years, spending a lot of time in Derry over that time, so it is great to welcome everyone at Niche Drinks into the Luxco family.”

The two companies are also planning to build an Irish whiskey distillery at Derry’s Ebrington Square and have met with the Strategic Investment Board to discuss their project.