Vanguard extends partnership with Mark Anthony Brands

Vanguard Luxury Brands has signed a partnership with Mark Anthony Brands International that will see it distribute Canada’s Bearface Whisky and Ireland’s Glendalough Distillery’s range of lcraft spirits in Australia.

Enda O'Sullivan, Vice President - Spirits at Mark Anthony Brands International said, "We are delighted to further our ambitious global distribution plans in Australia with Vanguard Luxury Brands. They are an important strategic partner for us, and we look forward to working with the team to build these authentic, innovative and expressive premium spirits brands in Australia."

Led by Master Blender Andres Faustinelli, Bearface Whisky works with the Canadian wilderness to transform its whisky into something more wild and adventurous, giving it a bolder, smoother flavour.

It is produced using the trademarked ‘Elemental Ageing’ process, where hand-selected oak casks are matured in repurposed shipping containers, exposing them to the elements, with extreme temperature fluctuations amplifying how the whisky and wood interact with each other. Its unique ageing process uses three types of oak: American, French and Hungarian.

Bearface Triple Oak won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold at The Canadian Whisky Awards, Gold and received 95 points at the IWSC awards where it was described by judges as "a wonderfully light and deft whisky that would work perfectly as an aperitif. Supremely delectable and sweet Madagascan vanilla pods, light and runny honey, creamy coconut and a seam of smooth fudge. It never gets too sweet though, with some nice spice and bitterness to keep it in check. "

Vanguard Luxury Brands General Manager Danny Connolly said, 'Bearface Triple Oak doesn't just look fantastic, it tastes fantastic too...We're confident the Elemental Ageing story and the brand's connection to the inspirational Canadian wilderness will fascinate Australian premium whisk(e)y drinkers.”

Founded in 2011, Glendalough Distillery makes luxury craft spirits in the scenic Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. Now in its tenth year, the distillery has become a leader in craft spirit innovation, releasing world-firsts like Irish single malt whiskey aged in rare Japanese Mizunara oak, Irish pot still whiskey aged in Wicklow Irish oak, and a range of distinctive Irish gins distilled from hand-foraged botanicals picked daily in the mountains surrounding the distillery.

Glendalough's portfolio has won multiple accolades on the global stage and was voted Ireland’s Gin Distillery of the Year  at the New York International Spirits Competition, Sustainable Irish Distillery of the Year by Whisky Magazine and was awarded Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for both their Wild Botanical Gin and Double Barrel Whiskey.

Mr Connolly said, "Glendalough Distillery is such an evocative brand. The range captures the natural spirit of the Irish mountains that surround the distillery, but it's through their progressive attitude and innovative ideas that they are able to create Whiskies and Gins that are unmatched in the super-premium craft spirits market.

The Australian launch is planned for November 2021 and will be supported by trade and consumer marketing campaigns for both brands.

Bearface photo by Eoin Holland.