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Ireland: Whiskey fight back begins now
The Irish government has thrown its support behind growth in the Irish whisky category, declaring the “fight back” against Scotch begins now.
Speaking at the launch of the €100m expansion of the Irish Distillers Midleton plant in Cork, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny declared war on the world whisky markets, including that of its neighbour Scotland.
“I remember reading as a child that in the pre-prohibition days in the States, Irish whiskey was the big one,” he said. “So let the battle begin again with Scotch — for my part I’ll do what I can.
“The fight-back starts right here.”
The expansion of the County Cork distillery, one of only four major distilleries now operating in Ireland, is expected to help Pernod Ricard meet the increasing global demand for Irish whiskey.
Due to take place over the next 24 months, the expansion will create 60 new manufacturing and technical jobs: 30 in the Midleton distillery and 30 in the Fox and Geese bottling plant in Dublin.
An additional €100m is also being invested in developing a maturation facility in Dungourney, County Cork.
Chief executive Anna Malmhake said: “This is a fantastic day for Irish Distillers – and for Irish business. The €100m investment in Midleton, the home of Irish whiskey production, is a reflection of the growing international success of Jameson, and the future potential of our entire Irish Whiskey portfolio.”
The Irish whiskey category is currently undergoing somewhat of a resurgence, with several new distilleries announced over the past month, including one in the former Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, Slane Castle in Co. Meath, and William Grant’s €35m plant in Tullamore.