The St. Louis-based spirits company Luxco has acquired a controlling interest in Niche Drinks, a specialty liqueur company located in Derry, Ireland.

The companies have partnered for several years. Niche produces Luxco’s Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, and they also collaborate on The Quiet Man, a global Irish whiskey brand.

Luxco and Niche Drinks have plans to build an Irish whiskey distillery in Derry’s Ebrington Square, the companies say, and have met with the Strategic Investment Board to discuss the project.

“Luxco has impressive distillery experience, having built Lux Row Distillers and partnered with Limestone Branch Distillery, both in Kentucky, and is nearing completion of a tequila distillery in Arandas, Mexico,” says Ciaran Mulgrew, managing director of Niche Drinks. “This experience will be a tremendous asset as we proceed with The Quiet Man Craft Distillery at Ebrington Square.”

Mulgrew will remain in the business, the company says.

“This is a very exciting time for Luxco and Niche,” says Donn Lux, chairman and CEO of Luxco. “We have worked closely with Ciaran and his team for more than 30 years, spending a lot of time in Derry over that time, so it is great to welcome everyone at Niche Drinks into the Luxco family.”