EXCLUSIVE: Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has invested a substantial sum in Donegal’s Muff Liquor Company, Donegal Daily can reveal.
A host of A-list pals, including Ed Sheeran, comedian Jimmy Carr and Irish star Ronan Keating have also been tipped as fellow ‘Muff Liquor Men’ who are backing the premium spirits company.
Muff Liquor Company, co-founded by Inishowen woman Laura Bonner, is launching its Irish whiskey, gin and vodka in Australia this March.
New Zealander Russell Crowe has been a Muff fan ever since his visit to Ireland last August. He was introduced to the Irish Potato Craft Gin while on a break from filming ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ in Dublin and Wicklow, and he immediately wanted more!
The ‘Gladiator’ movie star revealed to Sydney radio station NovaFM why he backed the venture with his drinking buddies.
“I found this product in Ireland and I put together a little group of guys. I said try this, should we get involved in this?”
The venture is registered in Dublin as MLM Distillery Investments.
“I can proudly tell you that I have bought into the company and I am a Muff liquor man,” Crowe revealed this week, much to the amusement of NovaFM presenters Fitzy and Wippa.
The investment is set to be an exciting boost for Muff and Inishowen as a whole, with big plans expected from the proudly-Donegal company.
Now that he is an investor, Crowe is already promoting the amazing story of the original ‘Muff Liquor’ worldwide.
The company was inspired by Laura Bonner’s grandfather, Inishowen man Philip Mc Clenaghan who was a Greencastle potato farmer and underground poitin maker. In 2018, Laura decided to follow in Philip’s footsteps and legitimise the production of potato-based spirits alongside her Manchester-based business partner Tom Russell.
Laura Bonner, Muff Liquor Company Co-Founder
Russell Crowe had already hinted at his link to the company before the New Year when he tweeted a photo of a bottle of Muff gin, writing: “Getting ready for 2023.” The tweet prompted jokes and giggles from fans who are not accustomed to hearing ‘Muff’ in the context of the Donegal village.