Whiskey sector to invest €1bn here

A new umbrella body for the whiskey-making industry has been established to guide growth in a sector which is expected to invest more than €1bn in the Irish economy over the next decade.

At yesterday’s launch of the Irish Whiskey Association — a body featuring new market entrants and established players — representatives stated that the sector is on course to quadruple its exports, from six million cases to 24 million, by 2030 (and doubling current levels by 2020); and to grow combined employee numbers by 30%, to 6,500 people over the next 10 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 is set to continue,” said Peter Morehead, production director at Jameson parent, Irish Distillers, and chairman of the new body.