IRELAND’S whiskey industry could be in danger of dying out because of a lack of supply of mature whiskey, a report has found.
Though Ireland is renowned across the world for Jameson, Tullamore Dew and Powers, the shortage may see smaller distillers petering out.
But researchers think that copying Scotland’s successful whiskey model could save the industry.
There are currently just four distilleries in Ireland producing mature whiskey – whereas Scotland has 115 functioning with a further 30 under construction.
Scotland’s whiskey exports were in excess of £3.5billion last year versus Ireland’s, which brought in just £245million in comparison.
The Scottish industry is boosted by a wholesale market - something that Ireland does not have, despite calls from the Irish Whiskey Association to establish one.
And because Ireland is missing this system, the report found that new entrants onto the Irish whiskey market face uncertainty in their supply and cost.
Pat Massey, director of consultancy firm Compecon, compiled the report on behalf of The Wild Geese Irish Whiskey.
“While Ireland and Scotland are similar in population terms, the Irish whiskey industry is dwarfed by its Scottish counterpart which illustrates the benefit of a proper functioning wholesale market for bulk Irish whiskey,” he said.
Scotland's wholesale market has helped the whiskey industry in the country grow to its hugely profitable status, the report found.
There are currently 5,000 blended whiskies and hundreds of malts in circulation in the Scottish industry.
“The case for such a market has been made by the Irish Whiskey Association and we believe the Government has a fundamental role to play in supporting the SME sector as we work to grow the economy at home and abroad,” said Andre Levy, co-chair and founder of The Wild Geese whiskey.
As well as a wholesale market, the report also stated that Ireland's industry and economy overall would be greatly boosted by an increase in the number of smaller whiskey brands available.
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