NORTHERN Ireland made spirit Jawbox Gin has secured a listing at 150 Marks & Spencer stores across the UK.
It is the biggest retail deal in Britain yet for the drink, launched earlier this year by Gerry White.
He formed the Jawbox Spirits Company last year to develop and market the first Belfast gin produced for more than a century.
The development of the product is being supported by Drinksology which came up with the product design, featuring a Victorian-style medicine bottle, and developed the distinctive branding and marketing campaign.
“We are really excited about this business with one of the UK’s most respected retailers and one with a strong focus on premium products," said Mr White.
“As a result of the business developed by the dedicated team at Drinksology, Jawbox is now on sale throughout Britain as well as the big M&S store at Sprucefield, Lisburn.
"Drinksology identified the opportunity and secured the business for Jawbox. They’ve been absolutely brilliant and were quick to recognise the business potential of Jawbox from the start."
He said the listing was "a marvellous endorsement of the quality of Jawbox and gives us a strong springboard for growth in one of the most important global markets for premium gin. It’s brilliant to have M&S in our fast growing client portfolio - and just nine months after the launch of our gin."
And Mr White said the next step for Jawbox was to export further afield.
“The contract will be tremendously beneficial as we implement our strategy to expand sales in target markets especially the US," he said.
"We’ve already had encouraging approaches from potential clients in the US and Canada and will be working with Drinksology to convert these leads into firm business."
The Jawbox gin is produced at the Echlinville Distillery at Kircubbin in Co Down from barley grown on the surrounding Echlinville Estate.
