​TJ Carolan & Son Managing Director represents Heaven Hill across the Irish Distilled Spirits Industry​

In July 2017, Heaven Hill acquired Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur and Irish Mist Honey Liqueur. As part of the brands acquired came TJ Carolan & Son, its employees and Heaven Hill’s first international office, located in Dublin, Ireland. Among these employees was Bryan Fallon, Managing Director of TJ Carolan & Son. Bryan joined Carolans in February 2016 as the General Manager and was promoted to his current role following the acquisition. As Managing Director, Bryan oversees the team managing every aspect of the business supplemented by the U.S. Sales, Customer Service, Finance and Marketing teams. The Irish team works closely with Heaven Hill’s Supply Chain team and Quality department in Bardstown. Additionally, Bryan is involved in supporting the global expansion of Heaven Hill’s International team including our commercial directors in South America, Europe, and Canada ensuring the business continues to prosper.

On January 1, 2020, Bryan was named Vice Chairman of Drinks Ireland|Spirits (DIS). Formerly the Irish Spirits Association, DIS is the Irish equivalent of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and serves as the representative voice for the Irish spirits industry, which is one of Ireland’s most dynamic export and import industries. Established in 1997 to promote the interests of the Irish spirits industry in Ireland and internationally, DIS is a united voice amongst national and EU policy makers for issues such as taxation, labelling, trade and the ongoing international protection of Ireland’s Geographic Indicators (GIs). Ireland is a small island to the West of Europe. With Brexit fast approaching DIS has a critical role in continuing to promote and protect the interest of its members. Brexit provides opportunities for Ireland to develop new export markets while enticing additional foreign direct investment. Ireland is a committed member of the European Union and provides companies with guaranteed access to the European market. Ireland post Brexit will be the only English speaking country in the EU and can provide an ideal hub for both U.S. and global organization’s seeking a European base.

Over the next two years Bryan will serve in this position, supporting the Chairman of DIS and promoting the Carolans and Heaven Hill’s presence in the Irish distilled spirits space. Once his initial two year term is complete, Bryan will assume the role of Chairman of Drinks Ireland|Spirits.

“It’s a great privilege to be afforded this opportunity,” Bryan says. “Ireland is an export orientated economy and therefore it is critical DIS continues to be a strong voice promoting Irish distilled Spirits on the global stage. We live in a competitive ever-changing global economy. DIS is fully aware of the challenges facing our sector while also continuing to assist in the continued growth of the Irish Distilled Spirits sector. The position provides a platform to increase awareness and the profile of Heaven Hill’s brands. Through the success of Heaven Hill’s barrel program, many Irish Whiskey distilleries have actually acquired casks that previously aged our great American Whiskies. I look forward to being an active Vice Chairman of Drinks Ireland|Spirits and assisting in the long term growth of Carolans and Irish Mist.”

The opportunity for Bryan to join the DIS board came about in early 2019. Through active involvement in DIS covering a range of issues, he gained an insight to DIS and how the organization interacted with brand owners, government and consumers. He ultimately got to know the DIS team very well and was  asked  to put his name forward for consideration as Vice Chairman. As the first Carolans or Heaven Hill employee to join the DIS board, Bryan is excited for this opportunity. He hopes to learn more about the Irish Distilled Spirits industry, build relationships for Carolans and Heaven Hill among industry colleagues, and ultimately promote Heaven Hill’s outstanding brands internationally.

“DIS has close links with Spirits Europe based in Brussels, which represents the entirety of the European spirits industry.” Bryan says. “In this role I will have the opportunity to promote Heaven Hill, our brands, our heritage and supplement the message being promoted globally by Heaven Hill’s International team. We currently face U.S. tariffs on Carolans and Irish Mist and EU tariffs on our American Whiskies. I hope my participation on this board will allow us to spread the message that free trade and competitive balance allows us to develop our brands, while promoting growth for the industry.​”

Please join us in congratulating Bryan on his new role as Vice Chairman of Drinks Ireland|Spirits!