Warrington-based spirits producer Quintessential Brands has bought the Dublin Whiskey Company as part of a €10m (£7.8m) investment that will see it build a new distillery and visitor experience for its Irish whiskey brands.

The multimillion-euro acquisition includes the historic Old Mill Street building in the heart of the Liberties, which was traditionally the centre of whiskey distillation in Dublin.

The site has full planning consent for a distillery and a natural spring water source to be used in the process.

The development is expected to support up to 55 jobs over the next 18 months.

Quintessential Brands chief executive Warren Scott said: "The addition of the Dublin Whiskey Company paves the way for us to create an Irish whiskey distillery and a home for our Irish whiskey brands in the famous Liberties area of Dublin which will allow us to further develop our Irish whiskey portfolio and become a leader in Irish spirits.

"I am pleased to also announce the appointment of Darryl McNally as our master distiller. With his experience creating Irish whiskey and managing one of Ireland's leading distilleries, he brings extensive knowledge and expertise to the Dublin Whiskey Company which will help us create a dynamic, brand-led business with a working distillery at its heart."

Darryl McNally added: "The Dublin Whiskey Company distillery will produce single malt Irish whiskey and we will have the first spirit flowing from the stills at the end of summer 2017.

"This is a long-term strategy for our business and we shall be investing €10m (£7.8m) in our Irish whiskey operations, including the distillery and maturation of stock."