Country star Nathan Carter drops into Muff Liquor Company ahead of Derry show

The chart-topping singer is one of the brand’s celebrity investors and made the return visit to the company’s brand home ahead of a packed-out performance in Derry’s Millennium Forum.

While there, Nathan met with the fast-growing brand’s founder Laura Bonner and the team and told of his delight to be back.

Speaking to the Journal, he said that investing in Muff Liquor Company was, for him, a very easy decision.

"I love the fact that it’s a Donegal busibess and I love the brand, the taste of the product and the fact that so many celebrities have come forward,

"I think it’s a testament to Laura and the team that they all believe in it. You can also see that the brand is going to be even bigger in the next 10 years. All of that doesn’t just happen overnight. There’s an awful lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and it’s also fantastic to have this hub in Muff for people to come to.”

Nathan has strong ties to Donegal and Derry, having lived in the border village of Bridgend for three years when he first moved to Ireland.

“I know a lot of musicians from around here, like Matthew Crampsey and a lot of the lads who gig around here. It’s fantastic to have this brand home as a music venue.

“When I launched Wagon Wheel, I did the video in Rossknowlagh and the first gig I did when I moved here was in Donegal. So it’s like a second home at this stage.”

Laura revealed that the brand is currently planning to enhance its stage set up and continue to build on what is an already extremely popular venue.

"We have huge support from local people, which is great. We host a lot of private events and live music, as well as comedy nights etc. It’s a huge tourist attraction, as well as a great venue for local people. Anyone can come in and have a drink, no booking needed – there's actually a Local Link bus that stops right outside the door, so come in and have a cocktail and then get the bus back to Derry!”

Northern Ireland is a huge market for the Muff Liquor Company, as is the United States.

Laura outlined her ‘pride’ in the support she has received from the Irish community in the US.

This is particularly relevant at the minute in lights of the tariffs being imposed by the US, which, alongside the now war in Iran is making ‘things extremely difficult.”

“We’re getting it from both sides, but we’re a strong brand, so we’re not being down and we’re going to ride the storm. We have so much support. Our message to people is to support as many Irish brands as you can, buy or bottles and come here and see us.You’ll be so welcome. What we’ve managed to achieve in the US is massive and we’re not going anywhere.”

The company and its product has won multiple awards in recent times and Laura credited her ‘amazing team’ for all their hard work.

She told how its onwards and upwards for them all, with plans to soon launch a new product.

Nathan also has an exciting year ahead, with gigs in America, including the iconic Carnegie Hall, as well as a new album ‘Priceless,’ written with the renowned Guy Chambers.

There are also plans for a special return to the brand home, so watch this space.

Nathan is one of a number of celebrity investors that all includes Russell Crowe, Ed Sheeran, Ronan Keating and Jimmy Carr.

But, as Laura quipped: “I like to remind the celebrities that the biggest celebrity is the liquid in the bottle!”