Northern Irish gins set to prosper in global markets

Northern Irish distilleries could share in the benefits of a projected significant growth in exports of Irish gin in 2018.

The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) says 2018 will be the year Irish gin "goes global". More than 30 Irish gin brands are now available on the market.

Northern Ireland has five established craft gins - Shortcross, which is based at Rademon Craft Distillery in Crossgar, county Down, Jawbox and Belfast 1912, both based in Belfast, Boatyard at Enniskillen, county Fermanagh, and Echlinville in Kircubbin, county Down.

According to trade association ABFI, while 2017 "marked a breakthrough in terms of exports" for Irish gin producers, with shipments more than trebling in the year, 2018 will see Irish gin "go global" and grow exports to the US, Canada, UK and Germany.

The Northern Irish gins have all been focusing on business opportunities in Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, other parts of Europe and especially the US. Boatyard, for instance, recently announced export success in Switzerland.

Irish whiskey exports are also on track to double by 2020, and double again in the following decade. Northern Ireland has four working whiskey distilleries - Old Bushmills in county Antrim, Echlinville and Rademon in county Down and Boatyard in Fermanagh.

The Quiet Man distillery in Derry is scheduled to start producing its own spirit this year. The company, which matures whiskey in casks, is now exporting its The Quiet Man single malt and blended whiskey to around 30 international markets. Echlinville distilled its first whiskey last year. Danny Boy and Titanic whiskey brands are being marketed by Belfast Distillery Company, which has plans to convert part of the old Belfast Gaol into a whiskey distillery.

ABFI says 2018 will see a number of new distilleries launch their Irish whiskeys for the first time, as more stock reaches three years old. Since 2014, the number of operational Irish whiskey distilleries has grown from four to 18, with 16 more planned. A new whiskey distillery is planned at Newry in county Down

Also in its newly published outlook, ABFI says the Irish whiskey industry's tourism prospects are strong, while Ireland's grain and dairy industries will be boosted by its export growth in spirits.