Take back the throne

Twelve years ago, there were four distilleries in Ireland making whiskey. Today, there are 40.

Irish Whiskey is the world’s fastest growing spirit and global sales broke the 13 million case barrier for the first time ever last year, reflecting growth of 150 per cent over the past decade.

Drinks Trade was lucky enough to be a part of a tasting, sampling whiskies from Tullamore, Boann, Dublin Liberties and Slane Distilleries. But it was more than just a tasting. It was an invitation to be a part of "re-discovering Irish whisky", its great depth and diversity and a source of great pride for the nation.

The Whisky List's Oliver Maruda agrees: "We're seeing a major resurgence for the Irish Whiskey category here in Australia. Between the growth of newer distilleries like Waterford, Slane and Boann distilleries finally releasing whiskey to market, to the major brands like Bushmills and Tullamore experimenting further with different cask finishes and flavour profiles, matching the strong consumer demand to try something new and exciting. It's a really exciting time to be exploring Irish whiskies!" 

Not only is the nation that first produced whiskey – way back in 1324 – having a renaissance, it is also a great innovator in the space with some of the world’s most sustainable distilleries crafting what is becoming Ireland’s latest pride and joy.

Australians love Irish Whiskey: in 2020 alone, sales by volume increased by 22 per cent with 250k barrels sold here. While in the US, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has reported that sales of Irish whiskey grew by 17.8 per cent last year to 5.9 million cases. At this rate, Irish Whiskey will overtake Scotch by 2030.

Peter Cooney, Co-founder & Export Sales Director at Boann Distilleries said, "We are growing together and we are going to take that throne back. It is an exciting time and it is great to be a part of it."

Director of the Irish Whisky Association, William Lavelle ties the huge increase in Irish Whiskey production to two things. Firstly, to big investment from big companies, like William Grant & Sons who produce Tuallamore D.E.W, Brown Forman who produce Slane and Quintessential who produce The Dubliner. And secondly, to the "pioneering wave of Irish entrepreneurs and families, like Boann Distilleries".

At home in Ireland, CGA’s on-premise report shows that whiskey now accounts for more than one in five (22 per cent) serves of spirits in Ireland and among whiskey drinkers, three in four (75%) choose Irish brands, reflecting a shift o ‘support local’ mirrored the world over. Irish whiskey now accounts for 83 per cent of all whiskey sales in Ireland—three percentage points higher than a year ago.

The Irish Whiskey Association has embarked on a global campaign to promote the resurgence of whisky production in Ireland and with international tourism back on the agenda, a visit to immerse oneself these historic and idyllic distilleries is an exciting prospect.

Profiles of the Irish Distilleries that participated in the Irish Whisky Association will be published later this week.