Top Shelf International (ASX:TSI) is pleased to announce that through its premium spirit brand NED Australian Whisky, it's joining the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) as an official whisky partner for 2021 and beyond.

In 2022 the partnership will be extended with NED Whisky also becoming the Queensland Maroons' coaches partner.

TSI CEO Drew Fairchild said the brand was proud to partner with the QRL and the Maroons.

“No teams in Australian sport embody NED’s daring, never-say-die attitude and spirit better than Queensland’s Origin teams," Fairchild said.

"Through NED Australian Whisky and also Grainshaker Australian Vodka, we have set about creating distinctive, premium Australian spirit brands that are forging their own path.

“We‘re excited about the opportunities this association will create for us in Queensland and look forward to building the partnership over the coming period.”

QRL managing director Robert Moore said partnering with an ambitious Australian company such as TSI was an extremely exciting prospect.

“We love the fact that the team at Top Shelf International is looking to connect with Queenslanders, first through its NED Whisky brand in 2021 and then adding Grainshaker Australian Vodka in future years," Moore said.

"We’re really looking forward to seeing how the partnership evolves over the next few years.”

NED Whisky is celebrating the Queensland Maroons in 2021 by producing special Maroons 10-packs of its Australian Whisky & Cola 4.8% ready-to-serve cans.