IFA Seeks Whiskey with 100% Irish Grain

IFA is proposing the introduction of a whiskey which is made with 100% Irish grain.

Ahead of the closure of the Public Consultation on the Irish Whiskey Product Specification today, IFA Grain Chair John Murphy said he hopes the process will spark changes which lead to greater recognition of Irish grain in the overall Irish Whiskey story.

“The significant growth in the Irish whiskey category over the past 12 years has significantly increased demand for malted and unmalted barley, primarily for use in pot still and single malt production. This has made a meaningful contribution to supporting tillage farm incomes,” he said.

“However, for Grain Irish Whiskey, the largest Irish whiskey category, a significant quantity of maize is imported annually from France as the main raw material. There is no mention of this on the label of the finished product and tillage farmers believe this is disingenuous and damaging to the authenticity of the Irish whiskey brand. An increase in the use of Irish wheat in Irish Grain Whiskey would improve demand and potentially create significant value for the tillage sector,” John Murphy continued. 

In our submission, IFA has proposed the introduction of a whiskey category which is made with 100% Irish grain. This would fully recognise the contribution of Irish-grown cereals and Irish tillage farmers to the heritage and tradition of Irish whiskey.

IFA is strongly against allowing the use of exotic grains such as rice in whiskey production. Only Irish-grown cereals should be allowed, and this should be strictly enforced.

Next week, IFA will be attending the Agriculture Day of Spirits Week in Brussels, where we will highlight the importance of Irish tillage to the overall sustainability of the Irish spirits sector and strongly emphasise the need for robust premiums for Irish-grown cereals.