The Boatyard Distillery earns global recognition
Fermanagh’s Boatyard Distillery features in Drinks International Brands Report 2026 for fourth consecutive year
Print15 January 2026
The Boatyard Distillery has once again secured its place among the world’s most respected spirits brands, earning multiple rankings in the newly released Drinks International Brands Report 2026.
This marks the fourth consecutive year the Fermanagh distillery has featured in the influential global report and has landed as one of the top ten spirits brands, and the only spirits brand made on the island of Ireland to feature in the Bartenders’ Choice category, Bestselling Gin List, Top Trending Gin Category and the Top Trending Vodka category.
Top 10 spirit brands
The Bartenders’ Choice award celebrates the top 10 spirit brands across all categories that bartenders choose to use above all others behind the bar.
Boatyard Distillery’s inclusion at number nine confirms its continued relevance and respect among the global bartending community and underlines the brand’s strong connection to the on-trade — a connection that has been central to the brand since its founding in 2016 by Fermanagh native and Head Distiller Joe McGirr.
The Boatyard Distillery also delivered an impressive performance within the highly competitive gin and vodka categories.
Boatyard Double Gin ranked number six in the Bestselling Gin list and number seven in the Top Trending Gin category, reinforcing its status as a staple within leading bars worldwide.
Meanwhile, Boatyard Vodka climbed to number five in the Top Trending Vodka rankings, reflecting growing international demand and bartender advocacy.
Notably, The Boatyard Distillery remains the only spirits brand made on the island of Ireland to feature across these key sections of the report.
Within this year’s report commentary, Boatyard Double Gin has been described as the “unicorn of the gin world” — a rare independent brand competing successfully against global spirits companies with far larger budgets.
Yet Boatyard’s continued success is rooted in a simple philosophy: making spirits with integrity, sustainability and a true sense of place.
Designed from the outset as a gin made for Martinis, Boatyard Double Gin is distilled using organic botanicals and a distinctive double-contact juniper method, resulting in a smooth, juniper-forward profile prized by bartenders for classic and contemporary cocktails alike.
Its presence on both the Bestselling and Top Trending lists is testament to the reputation it has earned behind the bar.
Housed in a converted boatyard — Fermanagh’s first legal distillery since 1890 — The Boatyard Distillery is proudly Ireland’s first B-Corp certified distillery, reflecting its commitment to social and environmental responsibility alongside exceptional quality.
Speaking on the release of the 2026 report, Declan McGurk, managing director at The Boatyard Distillery, said: “To be recognised for a fourth consecutive year — and to return to the Bartenders’ Choice list — is hugely meaningful for our team.
“Everything we do is built around the bar world.
“Bartenders need to trust a brand, enjoy working with it and feel confident recommending it.
“Seeing Boatyard Double Gin and Boatyard Vodka performing so strongly across bestselling and trending categories tells us that our focus on quality and authenticity continues to resonate globally.”
The Drinks International Brands Report surveys 100 of the world’s leading bars across 33 countries, including venues recognised in The World’s 50 Best Bars, Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, and major regional and national bar awards.
Now in its 16th year, the report is regarded as the most authoritative snapshot of global bar trends and buying behaviour.
Read more: Marketing bites
© 2026, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
Followers 0
Fans 0
Followers