IRISH WHISKEY SALES ON FIRE

IF YOU didn’t know that Irish whiskey sales are exploding you must be living under a rock. So successful has the category been that exports are predicted to double by 2O2O. According to the Irish Spirits Association (ISA), Ireland currently exports 6.2 million nine-liter cases of Irish whiskey to more than 1OO markets. But the wave of new distilleries receiving planning permission in the country is expected to double exports to over 12 million cases by 2O2O. The ISA recognizes four operating distilleries producing Irish whiskey: Midleton (Pernod Ricard), Cooley (Beam), Kilbeggan (Beam), and Bushmill’s (Diageo), although Dingle Distillery (Cork), Alltech Craft Distillery (Carlow) and Echlinville Distillery (Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland) are all producing liquid that is not yet old enough for sale as whiskey.

The number of distilleries operating is expected to grow to 15 in the next few years as several receive planning permission and complete construction. Peter Morehead, chairman of the ISA and director of production at Irish Distillers, said: “What’s especially exciting is the fact that the Irish whiskey industry has been flourishing as of late, experiencing somewhat of a renaissance. This has led to extremely positive growth prospects.” At a recent meeting of the ISA and Scotch Whisky Association, Morehead said, “Irish spirits companies contribute over 1 billion euros to the Exchequer every year, supporting the employment of 14,7OO people across production and sales. However, when we compare the whiskey industry to that of Scotch whisky, it becomes clear that there is a space for huge potential growth in the sector.”