Gin could be just the tonic the drinks industry needs

Ireland is now one of the world’s top 10 gin-drinking nations, writes John Daly

The Irish spirits sector has experienced a boom in recent years, with exports up almost a third. Ireland is now one of the world’s top 10 gin-drinking nations, according to recent research from Euromonitor International, with Irish consumers spending almost €83m on the product last year, an increase of 23% on 2015 levels.

The Irish Spirits Association (ISA) predicts that sales will increase further in 2017, underpinned by a rise in gin of 31.6%, making it the fastest-growing spirit in the country last year. The ISA is part of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland - the trade association representing brewers, distillers, brand owners and distributors in Ireland - which is, in turn, a part of Ibec, and was established in 1997 to promote the interests of the Irish spirits industry in Ireland and internationally.