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English distillery numbers top Scotland for first time
The number of English distilleries has overtaken those in Scotland for the first time thanks to the growing popularity of gin.
There are now more distilleries operating in England than Scotland
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures released by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) show that in 2018, 166 distilleries were recorded in England versus 160 in Scotland.
HMRC issued 31 new distillery licences in England last year, and 11 in Scotland. In 2017, Scotland was home to 149 distilleries, compared to 135 in England.
The WSTA recognised that while Scotland boasts a greater number of large distilleries, there is a growing number of smaller distilleries in England and Wales that are “diversifying and making new gins, whiskies, vodkas, rums, brandies and liqueurs”.
Including those in Wales and Northern Ireland, a total of 361 distilleries were recorded in the UK last year.
As demand for gin continues, the WSTA said the number of UK distilleries has more than doubled in the past five years, with the equivalent of one distillery a week opening in 2018.
Gin sales hit an all-time-high in the UK last year, with £1.9 billion worth of the spirit sold. This is the equivalent of 66 million bottles – a 41% increase on the previous 12 months.
“It lifts the spirits to hear that distillery numbers continue to grow in the UK. It’s not just our gins picking up awards, but we have also seen a growing number of excellent quality English and Welsh whiskies too,” said WSTA chief executive Miles Beale.
“With all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit it is extremely reassuring that our talented spirit makers are continuing to innovate, invest and grow. With England now boasting more distilleries than its Scottish cousins, 2018 really has marked a moment in history.
“There is a significant amount of money being poured back in to the British spirits industry, which has been helped by the chancellor freezing spirit duty.”
Across the UK in 2018, 54 new distilleries opened while eight closed, meaning the total number of spirits makers increased by 46.
Distillery openings in the UK have increased by 210% since 2010, when 116 were recorded – adding 245 in eight years. In 2010, England was home to just 23 distilleries.