Close to 40 distilleries producing gin on the island represents a category expansion of 184% between 2014 and 2020 but Covid-19 dealt a blow to many of the high end producers.

While the closure of bars during lockdown one saw alcohol sales at supermarkets and off licences  rocket, many of the more premium local brands which typically rely on hospitality settings didn’t fare so well.

In fact 2020 became the first year in which Irish gin sales actually fell.

With people returning to hospitality on both sides pf the border following the lifting of government restrictions, Drinks Ireland visited Belfast on Thursday to present its vision for the sector over the next four years.

The Irish Gin Strategy 2022-2026 includes measures to promote world-leading standards for quality and authenticity, develop the domestic market, promote Irish gin worldwide and support the viability of Irish gin distilleries.

There are now at least 37 distilleries producing Irish gin on the island of Ireland, eight of those in the north,, and over 70 brands.

“The Irish Gin sector has grown extremely quickly in recent years, driven by innovative and ambitious producers and brand owners, dedicated to creating quality and authentic products,” said David Boyd-Armstrong, Chairman of the Drinks Ireland|Spirits’ Irish Gin working group, and Joint Founder and Head Distiller of Rademon Estate Distillery, which creates Shortcross Gin.

“Our strategy will enable the industry to take advantage of the opportunities in the domestic and international market and face the various challenges ahead.

“We will be working to seek the introduction of rules covering the marketing and labelling of Irish gin in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK to ensure consumers know what they are buying,” he added.

Currently, Ireland is the dominant market for Irish gin, but the new strategy will have a major focus on export growth – earmarking the UK, USA, Germany, Canada, China and other Asian  territories.

Vincent McGovern, Director of Drinks Ireland|Spirits said: “Irish gin has been a true national success story in recent years. Our members employ dozens of people across both urban and rural Ireland producing this much-loved spirit and exporting to markets across the globe.”

The post New strategy to boost Irish gin exports launched in Belfast appeared first on Licensed & Catering News (LCN) - News Coverage from the Local Trade.

The series, launched in 2019, is crafted to celebrate the true global Renaissance of Teeling, Dublin and Irish whiskey as it continues to be the fastest-growing premium spirit in the world.

The Renaissance Series Two bottling follows on from the sold out, award-winning first release which won Gold at both the 2020 International Wine and Spirits Competition and 2020 Irish Whiskey Masters.

The Renaissance is a key part of Teeling Whiskey’s range of award-winning Irish whiskeys which have collected nearly 300 international awards over the last seven years including the title of “World’s Best Single Malt” at the 2019 World Whiskies Awards.  The second bottling of The Renaissance Series consists of 18-Year-Old Single Malt that was aged initially in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in high quality, ex-Australian Shiraz wine casks, imparting distinct hints of ripe red fruits with sour cherry notes and a delicate soft spice. Limited to just 9,000 bottles, the resulting Single Malt is then bottled at 46% with no chill filtration, a signature of all Teeling Whiskeys.

With a RRP of €140.00 for a 70cl decanter bottle in gift box, The Renaissance 18-Year-Old Single Malt will be available in Ireland at the Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Dublin 8, The Celtic Whiskey Shop and premium independent Irish off licences as well as being rolled out to key international markets such as the Belgium, UK, Holland, France, Denmark, Italy and select Asian markets.

To find out more information on the Teeling Whiskey and the Teeling Whiskey Distillery visit www.teelingwhiskey.com or visit Teeling Whiskey on Facebook.

The post Teeling unveils second renaissance bottling appeared first on Licensed & Catering News (LCN) - News Coverage from the Local Trade.

The club is an Irish first, offering members the opportunity to explore the world of distilling delivered to your door. Every two months, discover new and exclusive gins and unique spirits, always different and always seasonal with accompanying cocktail recipe cards, bringing new and exciting concoctions to the comfort of your own home. #DrinkResponsibly

The first edition sold out quickly but with a new offering every two months, more members are joining every day, buying single editions or subscribing for a series at https://blackwaterdistillery.ie/blackwater-tasters-club/.

The launch edition included a bottle of Jaffa Cake Gin (makes an awesome Jaffa Gin Fizz or Negroni), and a bottle of Blackwater’s own Limoncello (to create a Limoncello Viaggio) packing a sour/sweet citrus punch. The contents of the next edition, launching on October 16, are yet to be announced but will include an exciting cocktail cabinet staple and another seasonal Gin, all lovingly conceived and created in the Blackwater Distillery.

Each single Blackwater Tasting Club box is priced at €39.99, or subscribe for even better value – six months gets you three boxes for €105 or save a huge 23 per cent with the 12 month membership giving you six boxes for €185. Whether you fancy an occasional treat, want to buy the perfect gift for a gin lover, or fancy a series of spirited surprises for yourself, this is the club to be in!

Each beautifully presented and 100 per cent recyclable box will contain two 200ml bottles, usually at least one of gin and occasionally another small batch spirit, together with detailed recipes to create the cocktails they inspired. The suggested cocktails use only readily available ingredients and each box delivers at least eight to 10 cocktails or G&T serves. As a member of The Blackwater Tasters Club, you also receive exclusive invites, member benefits and expertise from their team of distillers and mixologists. With each delivery, there’s an invitation for Blackwater Tasters Club members to join a virtual party with the Blackwater team and enjoy hearing the stories behind the spirits you’ll enjoy, with a tasting and a demonstration of the suggested cocktails.

Based in Ballyduff Upper in west Waterford since 2014, Blackwater has crafted a range of award-winning gins, vodka and traditional pot still Irish whisky.

The post Blackwater Tasters Club officially launched appeared first on Licensed & Catering News (LCN) - News Coverage from the Local Trade.

NI businessman Terry Cross OBE will create around 40 new jobs with the opening of a new whiskey and gin distillery between Belfast and Ballynahinch.

The 30,000 sq ft distillery will produce Mr Cross’s Craft Hinch Irish Whiskey brands and Ninth Wave Gin.

The scheme, which should be complete in the middle of next year, will also feature a visitor centre, pub, restaurant, and event space.

The new distillery takes its name from the nearby town of Ballynahinch and Mr Cross says that he is keen to tap the potential of the phenomenal global growth in whiskey and gin sales:

‘We are launching the Hinch Distillery to provide visitors with a highly differentiated product and experience that couples the production of our quality spirits with a story and heritage,’ he added. ‘We hope it will become an attraction in its own right and offer guests a real understanding of the skills and methods needed to produce our spirits.’

Mr Cross is no stranger to the drinks industry having rescued Château de La Ligne, a Bordeaux vineyard, more than 20 years ago and restored it to its former glory. He will be the company chairman of Hinch Distillery while Derek Hardy will undertake the role of managing director.

‘Hinch Irish Whiskeys and Ninth Wave Gin are already making waves globally. We have a presence in 15 markets including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the US and European countries,’ said Mr Hardy. ‘Our goal is to double our export markets by the end of 2020 and the timing of the Hinch Distillery opening couldn’t come at a better time for us.’

Belfast-born head distiller, Aaron Flaherty, who has more than 15 years’ experience in the whiskey distilling business, including roles at Bushmills and Scotch Distillery sites, said: ‘Hinch Distillery is a unique experience producing premium products and this development will validate that and expose the effort and patience that is behind the creation of our five whiskey variants and our Ninth Wave Gin.

‘Our Time Collection of whiskeys caters to a range of palates. The taste profiles vary with smooth, smoky and aromatic variations appealing to the discerning whiskey connoisseur and indeed to new customers.

‘Our mystical Ninth Wave gin is as equally otherworldly and we’re very proud of the methods that go into making our products. They show that Hinch Distillery is so much more than a drinks producer. We have a distillery with a story and the opening of the site is just our first chapter.’

The post New craft distillery to create 40 jobs appeared first on Licensed & Catering News (LCN) - News Coverage from the Local Trade.