Black Emerald: Bringing Irish Whiskey to a new generation

Simon Zebo always had an unerring eye for a spectacular score. Back in his high-flying rugby career with Munster and Ireland, his split-second timing and quicksilver speed ensured his iconic status as a legend of the game.
Having finally hung up his boots in 2024, the ever-enthusiastic Simon has quickly found a new field of dreams for his talents as the face of Black Emerald Whiskey on its journey to conquer the world.
Initially targeting the fastest-growing international Irish whiskey markets of Nigeria and South Africa, Black Emerald is bringing Simon back to many of the same territories he visited as a player.
'This is an amazing time for me to be involved with Black Emerald and going back to places like South Africa, where I have such great memories of my rugby days. It feels very right to be going full circle, and this time as part of the team behind such a tremendous Irish product. It's partly a trip down memory lane from my playing career, and also opening a new chapter in helping to bring a new story of Irish whiskey to the world.'
The connection between Black Emerald and rugby will also be enhanced in 2025 with plans to launch in Australia during the upcoming Lions tour, as well as making its debut in Chicago this November when Ireland play the All Blacks at Soldier Field the stadium where history was made when the boys in green beat the Kiwis for the first time in 2016.
As Simon looks to his new career horizon, the connection to his beloved rugby will never be far away especially with the addition of an old comrade in arms now added to the Black Emerald board. Simon's former Munster and Ireland rugby player, Denis Hurley, is now a member of the whiskey team, joining as Commercial Director. He brings extended experience in the spirits industry already, in particular with West Cork Distillery.
'To have somebody like Denis as part of Black Emerald is just magic. He is a guy I have so many great sporting memories with. We have played together going back to my Cork Con days. He was always fully committed in every game that he played with Munster and Ireland and will no doubt bring that same dedication to this enterprise. Denis has such an extensive knowledge of the industry into the bargain, it really adds to the enjoyment and buzz off being on this business journey we are together on.'
Simon Zebo, Ernest Cantillon, and Finian Sedgwick, founders of Black Emerald are inviting investors to join them. Picture: Taylor Siggins O'Brien
An opportunity to invest in future growth
Black Emerald Irish Whiskey is currently raising funds through the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS) offering investors a unique opportunity to be a part of the future of Irish Whiskey and to benefit from 50% tax relief on their investment.
'It really is a great opportunity for investors, and Black Emerald has been developed over the past number of years with exactly that in mind. We have had great support already on the investment side, and this current investment round is a chance to be part of the EIIS scheme looks to be similarly well supported.'
The coming months will see Black Emerald launch on the world stage with close connections to a number of major rugby games. 'The next six months will be huge for Black Emerald, and are a real incentive for EIIS investors to join us on this journey.' Irish whiskey has experienced extraordinary growth over the past two decades, transitioning to becoming one of the fastest-growing spirit categories globally. Between 2000 and 2023, the number of operational distilleries in Ireland increased tenfold from just four to over 40.
Spirit production in Ireland is projected to grow significantly, with an expected increase of 35% by 2028. 'South Africa is the fifth biggest market for Irish whiskey, and Nigeria just went into the top ten last year. These countries are no longer fringe markets, they are now places whose consumers know what they want. Nigeria is the fastest growing market for Irish whiskey, bar none, and joins South Africa in showing tremendous opportunity for a product like ours.' Nigeria will be one of the most populous countries in the world by 2050, and with an emerging middle class.
The stars have aligned for Black Emerald and rugby in 2025
Simon notes that Black Emerald is the result of careful planning and expertise at all points of its development particularly for the growing new generation of Irish whiskey drinkers.
'Black Emerald an exciting new Irish Whiskey for a modern generation and getting that message out there will be helped hugely in how well our launches go over the coming months. It is very much like the stars have aligned with our launch in Australia during the upcoming Lions tour - and will be my first time going there since I played on the last Lions tour to Australia.'
Simon Zebo has always brought the full weight of his ambition and dedication to every enterprise. Picture: Dan Linehan
A similar launch is planned for South Africa in September - another nation with strong rugby connections to Ireland. Capping off what promises to be a hugely successful 2025 will be the November launch in Chicago, coinciding with the Ireland v All Blacks game.
'That match will really attract all the eyes of the rugby world given the incredible memories of 2016 when we beat the All Blacks for the first time. The buzz around that game is already huge, and having the Black Emerald launch be part of all that excitement is a master stroke.' Simon Zebo has always brought the full weight of his ambition and dedication to every enterprise he's been involved with from Munster and Ireland on the sporting field, and now as a key part of the Black Emerald team.
'Being part of Black Emerald feels to me like moving from one hugely motivated rugby team to another dynamic business team that is just as dedicated to success. I'm really enjoying my role in Black Emerald and feel very much at home in this new phase of my career.'
For more information visit Black Emerald.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Irish Sun

26 minutes ago

• The Irish Sun

Love Island star's girlfriend accidentally reveals they had their first date BEFORE he split with All Stars ex

A LOVE Island star's girlfriend accidentally revealed their first date took place BEFORE he'd split from his All Stars ex. Viewers were first introduced to Advertisement 4 Callum Jones' girlfriend Myna Amor shared an insight into when their first date took place Credit: PA 4 Myna shared these snaps to her Instagram story Credit: Instagram 4 Callum and Jess Gale were coupled up in All Stars Credit: Rex The 28-year-old Although Callum entered the All Stars villa on Day 1, Jess Following their split after the final, Callum confirmed his new romance with stunning model Myna Amor. Posting on her Instagram story, Myna has seemingly revealed she and Callum had their first date before he'd split from Jess. Advertisement Read more on Love Island A fan had asked her: "How long has it been since you and Callum have dated?" Myna replied, sharing snaps of the pair to her followers: "We met last year in March. "I find it crazy that these photos were taken on our first date." However, Callum and Jess themselves Advertisement Most read in Love Island Exclusive The Sun has approached Callum's reps for comment. Last July, Myna London . Love Island Star Callum Jones' New Romance Unveiled She exclusively revealed: 'It's been really hard to keep their relationship under wraps for such a long time – it's been just over 5 months. 'It's been so crazy seeing everyone online try and guess who Callum is in a relationship with, knowing it's been me the whole time." Advertisement Speaking She said the incident happened around the time of Jess told The Sun: "It didn't fizzle out, things happened and there was this thing at Molly [Smith's] clothing event. Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. : An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. : A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell . : Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. : Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. "I found out something prior to the event and something that you can't really come back from. Advertisement "We don't speak now and I guess a line has been drawn under that. "After certain bits of information came to light, I wouldn't want to speak to Callum and after that, it was done.' Love Island continues on ITV2 and ITVX. 4 Callum and Jess had previously both appeared in Love Island series six Credit: Splash Advertisement

Irish Independent

31 minutes ago

• Irish Independent

Coinbase becomes second major crypto firm to move regulatory hub out of Ireland in 2025

The company has obtained its Markets In Crypto Assets (Mica) licence, a foundational legal instrument for trading across the EU 27 countries, in Luxembourg. In 2023, Coinbase had said that Ireland was chosen from 27 EU countries to be its regulatory and operational hub for Europe, citing a 'stable political environment for technology innovation', 'respected regulators' and being 'a jurisdiction that is familiar and comfortable with both financial services and technology.' Since then, the Irish Central Bank has consistently denigrated crypto as a sector, with Governor Gabriel Makhlouf publicly branding virtual currencies as 'Ponzi schemes'. Coinbase CEO, Brian Armstrong, said in an interview with CNBC that the company has moved to Luxembourg for regulatory reasons. 'Luxembourg is leading the way with its pro-business climate and thoughtful approach to regulation,' he said. Earlier this year, another prominent crypto company also switched its regulatory hub away from Ireland, where it had initially established its European base. Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by the US billionaire Winklevoss twins, switched its headquarters from Ireland to Malta, citing a better environment for 'innovation among fintech and digital assets'. Senior figures in the Irish cryptocurrency and blockchain industry have expressed concern that a lack of Irish interest in cryptocurrency regulation is driving companies and jobs away. Earlier this year, the Central Bank tendered for consultants to advise it on crypto regulation, after the EU's main Mica rules had already come into force, prompting accusations of being a party-time regulator from prominent Irish crypto figures. In a move to reassure Irish staff of Coinbase's future here, the company's vice president and regional managing director, Daniel Seifert, said that it would soon hire more people for its Dublin office. ADVERTISEMENT "Regarding Ireland, we are happy to announce that Coinbase is doubling down on its commitment to the country and we are imminently adding around 50 jobs to our office,' he said. Coinbase is understood to employ over 100 people at present, having shed almost half of its staff during the tech industry's post-Covid layoffs. 'Our e-money licence through which we service customers across the EU is held in Ireland,' said Mr Seifert. 'I have relocated to Ireland, as CEO of the Irish entity, demonstrating our commitment to scaling international operations and deepening our presence in Europe, one of the most strategic and rapidly evolving crypto markets globally."

RTÉ News​

31 minutes ago

• RTÉ News​

Royal Ascot: Cercene springs surprise in Coronation Stakes

Cercene gave jockey Gary Carroll and trainer Joseph Murphy a day to remember when bravely holding off French hotpot Zarigana to land the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Billed as a clash between French 1,000 Guineas winner Zarigana and Owen Burrows' supplemented Falakeyah, it was the Irish outsider who stole the show to become the race's longest-priced winner at 33-1. CERCENE defies the odds to win the Coronation Stakes, under the mount of G.F. Carroll for trainer Joseph G. Murphy. Congratulations to connections. — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 20, 2025 Falakeyah's challenge faded tamely having raced keenly, but 6-4 favourite Zarigana looked prime to pounce in hands of Mickael Barzalona and in fact looked to briefly have passed Cercene. However, Irish 1,000 third Cercene was not to be denied and proved her Curragh performance was no fluke as she battled back to secure a half-length verdict