Kieran Folliard, the brand’s founder and Irish American business entrepreneur, is also to become Beam’s chief Irish whiskey ambassador in the US.

Chris Bauder, general manager, whiskey for Beam said: “Earlier this year, we entered the fast growing Irish whiskey category with the acquisition of our flagship Kilbeggan brand.

“And now we’re taking another step forward to expand our Irish whiskey business in the US with the addition of Kieran Folliard and 2 Gingers to our Beam Irish whiskey family.”

Folliard introduced 2 Gingers in 2012 and it is made by Beam’s Kilbeggan Distilling Company. In less than one year, the brand has become the fastest growing Irish whiskey in Folliard’s home state of Minnesota, according to Beam.

2 Gingers is named for Folliard’s red-haired mother and aunt.

A statement from Beam said “the size of the transaction is not material to Beam's free cash flows and the acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s 2012 or 2013 financial results".

Beam’s Irish whiskey portfolio includes Kilbeggan, Tyrconnell, Greenore and Connemara.