EU distilleries push for rye whisky resolution
Europe’s rye whisky makers have lobbied for renegotiation over the use of the term ‘rye whisky’, which they were prohibited from using last year.
Currently, only Canadian producers are permitted to use ‘rye whisky’ labelling after a 20-year-old EU agreement with Canada was enforced from 1 April 2025.
The trade agreement, signed in 2003 and ratified in 2024 to ‘protect’ Canadian producers, excludes Europe’s distilleries from labelling their rye whiskies as such, even though they have been making whisky from rye for years.
The regulation has created a roadblock for Europe’s rye whisky producers, who have had to relabel bottles to meet the rules.
A host of producers has now signed a joint letter urging their nations’ ministries to make changes to the agreement this year: Kyrö Distillery Company and The Helsinki Distilling Company in Finland; Stauning Whisky and Thy Whisky in Denmark; Stork Club Rye Whiskey and Slyrs Bavarian Whisky Distillery in Germany; Agitator Whisky, Spirit of Hven, Tevsjö distillery and Vattudalen in Sweden; Whiskydestillerie Haider and Gölles Brennerei in Austria; Agardi Distillery in Hungary; Maison Ferroni in France; Moe Distillery in Estonia; Zuidam Distillers in the Netherlands; and Sempione Distillery in Switzerland.
The letter reads: “We, the European rye whisky producers, approach you related to the EU-Canada trade agreement (Agreement between the European community and Canada on trade in wines and spirit drinks – 22004A0206(02)) and especially regarding the term ‘rye whisky’ being reserved only to Canadian products and excluding European products.
“The agreement is up for renegotiation in 2026 and we demand swift and firm action as this is not only relevant to European producers but sets a dangerous precedent on how terms and treaties are protected.”
In the letter, the producers state that the initial deal was agreed at a time when Canadian rye whisky was not protected under a geographical indication (GI) and there was just one rye whisky producer in Europe.
They say there are now at least 18 rye whisky producers in Europe, with combined whisky stock exceeding millions of litres and investment at more than €100 million (US$117m). According to the producers, this investment was made in “good faith that building business in the EU is safe and predictable”.
Solution proposed for ‘harmful situation’
The distilleries have called for three changes, beginning with “immediate preparations for a renegotiation of the agreement, with the goal of removing ‘rye whisky’ in the treaty annex”.
This should be followed by a “joint publicity plan to leverage the public interest in favour of the EU and Canadian producers of rye”, and a “bilateral agreement with Canada on cooperation and knowledge share to grow industries on both sides of the treaty.”
It added: ‘The current situation is harmful for industry on both sides, as Canadian rye whisky is not benefiting [from] marketing investments that EU distilleries are making to grow the category within the EU and abroad and vice versa. With smart policy and an accompanied publicity plan, we can ‘grow the cake’ instead of arguing on how it should be shared.
“Canadian rye whisky is a specific style of rye whisky and not representative of the whole category. Unlike in the place of origin of rye whisky – Pennsylvania, US – where rye whisky has to be at least 51% rye, Canadian rye whisky uses rye as a flavour component and the regulation is very flax: it does not require any use of rye cereal when making the spirit.
“Canadian rye whisky is already protected under GI in the EU. There is no need for additional protection by reserving the ‘rye whisky’ term, especially as Canada is not the country of origin of the category.
“Canadian rye whisky is the only category of whisky where the name-giving cereal is not the main ingredient. This is misleading to EU consumers and against EU values.”
Mikko Koskinen, founder and marketing director of Kyrö Distillery, read out parts of the letter in a New Year’s speech on LinkedIn.
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