Irish whiskey exports recorded a 14.2 percent increase in value

Irish whiskey exports recorded a 14.2 percent increase in value in 2017, according to a report from Central Statistics Office (CSO) in Dublin. Northern Ireland distilleries, especially Old Bushmills in county Antrim, are now contributing significantly to the growth in Irish whiskey sales worldwide.

The CSO 2017 Trade Statistics report shows that Irish whiskey is now exported to over 135 international markets. The category saw a 16.7 percent increase in exports to the US, its largest export market; a 15.7 percent increase in exports to Canada and 9.2 percent increase in exports across the 27 EU markets.

Old Bushmills, now owned by Mexico's Jose Cuervo and regarded as the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, is Northern Ireland's biggest seller. A more recent addition to the increasingly popular category, The Quiet Man in Derry is selling single malt and blended whiskey to almost 30 markets worldwide. The company is set to open a purpose-built distillery later this year.

The historic Dunville whiskey brand has also been revived by Echlinville Distillery at Kircubbin in county Down. Rademon Estate Distillery in Crossgar, county Down, home of the award-winning Shortcross Small Batch Gin, is set to produce whiskey early next year.

And Boatyard Distillery at Enniskillen in county Fermanagh is also planning to launch a whiskey. The company currently produces an award-winning gin and is set to introduce its own 'farm to bottle' vodka.

Irish whiskey is the world's fastest-growing spirits category, representing a third of the value of all Irish drinks exports. It is estimated that nearly 120 million bottles (10 million cases) were sold in 2017, worth over £500 million in exports from Ireland, up 20 percent from 2016.

Commenting on the statistics, William Lavelle, head of the Irish Whiskey Association, said, "These figures confirm the sustained double-digit export growth in the Irish whiskey category. Irish whiskey export growth is delivering for the Irish economy, creating jobs throughout the country and benefiting Irish barley farmers.

"Irish whiskey remains the fastest growing spirits category in the world. This growth is showing signs of no abatement. Our industry has global ambitions and we are targeting more growth in more markets."