Connacht whiskey company boosts already burgeoning sector
THE Irish Whiskey Association has welcomed the official opening of the Connacht Whiskey Company, which will take place later today in Ballina, saying it will be good for jobs, tourism and the local economy in Mayo.
And, the association added, the opening of the new facility is a sign that broader growth in the sector has taken a firm hold across the country.
In 2013 there were just four distilleries in Ireland in operation producing and selling Irish whiskey. Now there are 32 new or proposed distilleries across the country.
Miriam Mooney, the head of the Irish Whiskey Association, welcomed the development in Ballina, adding: “Having been distilled in Ireland since the sixth century, Irish whiskey is one of the oldest spirit drinks in Europe. It is a premium product that can only be made on the island of Ireland.
“The existing players have driven the global renaissance in Irish whiskey and now it is the fastest growing spirits category in the world. Irish whiskey has carved out its own niche in the global spirits market, relying on the traditional craft of Irish distilling and authentic heritage underpinned by high-quality whiskey with a distinctive taste and broad appeal.
“In the last decade, the category grew by almost 200%. The potential is massive when we compare Ireland to Scotland, with over 130 Scottish distilleries in operation bringing investment and employment into rural areas.”
Earlier this year, the Irish Whiskey Association, which includes the Connacht Whiskey Company, launched A Vision for Irish Whiskey - a strategy document to support sustainable growth in the sector.
The growth projections are impressive. Employment in the sector is expected to increase by 30% by 2025, from 5,000 to 6,500. Additionally, annual exports that are now worth over €300m (up 220% since 2003) are set to double by 2020 and double again by 2030. Irish whiskey is exported to 77 markets, with the global market share set to grow by 300% by 2030 from 4% to 12%. Domestically, there is a spend of €350m annually in the whiskey, which supports farming families.