Kilbeggan not just for the Irish anymore

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, which comes from Ireland's oldest operating distillery, is making its first-ever true U.S. marketing push.

Kilbeggan this month launched a national multi-media campaign. One of the more entertaining aspects of it is a six-part video series featuring humorous antics undertaken by Kilbeggan residents distraught over their beloved Kilbeggan no longer being just for the Irish. The series can be accessed on YouTube.

"Irish Whiskey is quickly becoming the popular spirit of choice for many Americans, so now is the perfect time for us to let our secret out," said Bob Gorman, director of marketing for World Whiskeys at Beam Inc. "With our new campaign and packaging, Kilbeggan is now primed to contribute to the continued growth of the category."

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey is an 80-proof blended whiskey made from grain and barley. Unlike other Irish whiskeys, it is double distilled to retain more flavor. Its new packaging features a new label with a copper color and shape are representative of the 180-year-old pot still used to make the whiskey. An image of the distillery and its iconic water wheel are the focal point of the design, along with the year the whiskey was founded, 1757.