We’ve seen a lot of celebrities cross over into the spirit industry and create their own line. Everyone from Ryan Reynolds to George Clooney, Kendal Jenner to Gordon Ramsay has a selection of gin, tequila and more. But the latest star to enter the alcohol business is American singer Mariah Carey.
Music superstar has debuted a range of cream liqueurs called Black Irish, which honors the pop star’s Black and Irish heritage. She was born to a Black-Venezuelan father and an Irish mother, The Spirit Business reports. Mariah announced the release on her Instagram with a gorgeous picture of her in the sand wearing a glittery golden dress. In front of her is a bottle of Black Irish.
“Introducing ????? ?????. Two years in the making. Truly a cause for celebration!!! 🍸🍸” the caption reads on her Instagram.
The Irish cream liqueur comes in three flavours: Original, White Chocolate and Salted Caramel. Each expression in the range clocks in at 17% ABV.
However “All I want for Christmas” star faces a trademark battle over the name of her Black Irish drinks brand, as a group of Irish drinks entrepreneurs, through their group Darker Still Spirits Co Ltd, are already bottling an alcoholic drink of the same name in Europe. The Irish drink makers took over the trademark from a different company in 2015 and launched their product, Black Irish whiskey blended with stout, chocolate malt, and roasted barley, in 2020.
“The Darker Still Spirits Company can confirm that despite unfounded objections from Mariah’s team we still have the legal ownership of the ‘Black Irish’ trademark in the EU and UK,” said David Phelan, an Irish drinks industry veteran and one of the founders of Black Irish, The Irish Times reports.
Company officials already have plans to launch their Black Irish whiskey in Europe and still hold the trademark for the name in the European Union (EU).