Global Spirits company Bacardi has signed a distribution agreement with Ireland-based Teeling Whiskey Company and  acquired a minor stake in the business.

Starting from 1 September this year, Teeling’s Irish whiskies will be distributed in certain states in the US through Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, which handles the portfolio of Bacardi brands in the country through its Transatlantic Spirits division.

Teeling Whiskey Company's founder and managing director Jack Teeling was quoted by thedrinksbusiness.com saying: “The US market is by far the most important market for Irish whisky and it is beginning to go through significant ‘premiumisation’.

"The US market is by far the most important market for Irish whisky and it is beginning to go through significant ‘premiumisation'."

“Given the size of the opportunity, when a chance came up to partner with Bacardi through their new national distribution partnership and unique route-to-market model with Southern Glazer’s, it was too good not to take.”

Working with its new partner, the company will drive the segmentation of the category of Irish whiskey in the US. Teeling Whiskey was established in 2012 and will operate under the leadership of its existing owners and management team.

The company opened its new €10m distillery and visitor centre in Dublin in 2015 and later announced its expansion plans.