John Whelan: Falling whiskey demand forcing more distillery closures
2026 whiskey brands and exporters will have to keep international trade policy at the forefront of their strategy
The Killarney Brewing and Distilling company in Fossa, Killarney, Kerry, announced it would be ceasing operations in 2025. File Picture: Don MacMonagle
The once-explosive growth of Irish whiskey, which came to an abrupt halt in 2025, continued its downward path in 2026. The tariff wars, the Iranian supply chain disruption, and the fall in demand in the US, which has traditionally purchased upwards of 40% of the whiskey output from Ireland, have all added to the falling demand as has the change in consumer tastes.
The number of Irish distilleries had expanded from five over a decade ago to 50 in recent years, rushing into the expanding market fuelled by home-drinking demand during the pandemic years.
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