Key role for Old Bushmills in Irish Whiskey exports

Northern Ireland's Old Bushmills Distillery is a founder member of the newly launched Irish Whiskey Association.

The distillery, located in county Antrim and now owned by Diageo, is the world's oldest - it was first licensed to produce whiskey in 1603. It is one of 15 members of the new trade body that aims to promote the interests of the fast-growing industry.

It will champion the industry domestically and globally, while offering 'legal protection' for the category in international markets. Irish whiskey exports are forecast to double to 12 million cases by 2020, the new association said, with 15 new distilleries currently in development.

Six new distilleries are either in production or planned in Northern Ireland. They are Echlinville in Kircubbin, county Down, which is licensed by HMRC and has begun production, reviving the historic Dunville brand, Niche Drinks in Derry, Belfast Distillery, Portaferry Distillery, Portaferry, county Down and Rademon Estate in Crossgar, also in county Down.

Rademon has recently begun production and marketing a small batch premium gin and is developing a new whiskey.

The new group, whose members include established companies and new entrants, expects the sector to invest around £1 billion in Ireland over the next 10 years.

The group's goals are to promote the Irish whiskey category in Ireland and internationally, working with Government agencies (North and South) and the European Commission.

Peter Morehead, the group's chairman and production director at Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers says: "There has been sustained growth in Irish whiskey over the last 20 years, with the category experiencing double-digit growth since the turn of the Millennium and the trend set to continue.

"With this growth comes the need for leadership in ensuring the category maximises its potential and continues to maintain the high quality standards that consumers all around the world have come to expect from their Irish whiskey."

Irish whiskey is currently sold in 77 countries, with the US, France, Germany, Russia and the UK accounting for around 75 per cent of total sales.

Scotch whisky represents an astonishing 25 per cent of the UK's food and drink exports, but Irish whiskey is the fastest growing drinks category in the world.

The plan is to double exports of Irish whiskey from its current 6.2-million cases by 2020 (and double again by 2030), aided by the remarkable growth in new distilleries on the island of Ireland in the last couple of years.

There has been sustained growth in Irish whiskey over the last 20 years, with the category experiencing double-digit growth since the turn of the millennium and the trend set to continue.

Three years ago, the island of Ireland had four distilleries in operation - in the next three to five years that number will grow to over 15 if all the current projects move forward. Last year, companies exported 6.2 million 9-litre cases worldwide. This is expected to double to 12 million cases by 2020 and double again to 24 million cases by 2030.

At the launch, the Irish Whiskey Association released statistics about the growing sector:

Irish whiskey exports have grown by 220 per cent since 2003 and are now valued at €350 million.

In 2003, Irish whiskey made up just over nine per cent of beverages exports, which has grown to over 28 per cent of total beverages exports from Ireland.

Exports are expected to double to 12 million cases by 2020 and double again to 24 million cases by 2030.

Irish whiskey employs 5,000 directly and indirectly, set to grow to 6,500 by 2025

Turnover for the industry is almost €400 million, with an annual direct domestic spend of €237 million

Irish whiskey visitor centres attract over 500,000 tourists every year.

Irish whiskey sells into 77 countries, with USA, France, Germany, Russia and the UK accounting for almost 75 per cent of total sales.