Irish Distillers, a unit of Pernod Ricard and among the largest global producers of Irish whiskey, has announced an investment of around $173 million in sites at Cork and Dublin.

The investment is to help keep up with demand for Irish whiskey. This is accelerated by continued growth of Jameson, which is now in “double or triple-digit growth” in more than 80 markets across the world, the company says.

Around $150 million will go towards upgrading the distillery in Midleton, and maturation site in Dungourney, Co. Cork (pictured atop). The other $23 million will develop a bottling plant in Fox and Geese, Co. Dublin.

The investment will see the construction of eight new maturation warehouses, each holding 16,800 casks, with further land planned for purchase to support the next phase of development in Dungourney.

The company has also added an additional mechanical vapor recompression evaporator to its Midleton Distillery in East Cork. The addition allows the distillery to expand capacity. A third mash filter and new fermenters are also planned for the distillery. The distillery will also complete construction of a new office building in July 2019.

Investment in Irish Distillers’ bottling site in Fox and Geese will see extensions to the main operating bottling hall, storage warehouses, laboratory and office spaces — plus additional upgrades to bottling and packing equipment.

“Irish whiskey is the fastest growing premium spirit in the world, with sales now accounting for more than one third of all Irish beverage exports,” says Conor McQuaid, chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers. “This investment will help to allow this growth to continue for years to come. The company is proud to play its role in the Irish drinks industry, which is a hugely important part of the Irish economy.”