Hannah Barkhoff, International Markets, Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board
It’s no secret, that Ireland is a country of warming whiskey waters, brewing brilliance and long-lasting Liquor legacies in both domestic and export markets. However, far away from the days of “mothers’ ruin”, there’s a new spirit our Emerald Isle is producing – to some of the highest quality you might find globally. Yes, it’s Gin.
There is Irish Gin on the horizon and great Gin at that – showcasing Irish botanicals, Irish tastes and Irish sustainability.
Some have called it a ‘Gin-aissance’ (Reynolds, 2018) with Irish “Gin-trepreneurs” creating not only refined, authentic, Irish-centred and sustainable spirits to conquer the global market but furthermore creating knowledge-hubs for people to come and experience, learn about and create their own Irish Gins.
As William Lavelle (June 2018), head of the Irish Spirit’s Association (ISA) stated; “There is huge potential for Irish Gin producers to expand even further, as the industry shifts its focus to international markets”. The proof is in the pudding (or the tumbler). Gin exports are up 433% in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 2017 with exports in 2017 already having trebled from the previous year which had already seen tremendous growth in itself (ISA, 2018, 2017).
Some of Ireland’s finest Gins are now stocking major retailers in the UK, US and mainland Europe with markets further afar such as Canada, Japan and Mexico also proving key destinations for the Irish Juniper-spirit (William Lavelle, Drinks Industry Ireland 2018).
To grow further from this rise in high-quality Gin production, the Irish Spirits Association earlier this year launched a 5 years Strategy for Irish Gin in order to leverage these clear opportunities worldwide, building on Irelands’ reputation of its first class food and drinks industry. With a target of selling 5 million bottles or 400,000 9-litre cases around the world by 2022 (ISA, 2018), the goals set out in the strategy work towards the “Foodwise 2025” targets launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine paired with cross-industry organisations in 2015.
It’s safe to say – the days of tepid, sad and watery G&T’s are long gone. Premium Irish Tonic waters and mixers are now also exporting globally with Gin and Mixer brands travelling to Bord Bias’ “Spirit of Sharing” event in St. Petersburg in July to meet with high-profile potential Russian Clients and stores.
Key to the high quality of Irish Gin production is the underpinned emphasis on sustainability, usage of Irish ingredients and authenticity – three core elements to all food and drink production across our Emerald Isle. It shall be no different when it comes to Gin.
From distilleries utilising their adjacent farms to feed their livestock distillation by-products in order to create a “zero-waste” process to utilising some of Ireland’s finest indigenous ingredients from local farmers; be it seaweed, sea-water or strawberries. Irish Gin distillers are paving the way in the future of distilling – through sustainability, authenticity and usage of Irelands’ natural resources.
With many Irish Gin Distilleries now verified Bord Bia Origin Green members, this is only the be-GIN-ing of what is in store for Irelands’ Gin industry.
For more information contact Hannah Barkhoff: hannah.barkhoff@bordbia.ie
