Single malt Welsh whisky given UK protected status
Single malt Welsh whisky has been given protected status in the UK for the first time, placing it in the same protected category as Scottish and Irish whiskies.
The product is now protected under the UK geographical indication (GI) scheme, which aims to give legal protection to certain food and drink products against misuse or imitation when sold in Great Britain.
Single malt Welsh whisky is the first new UK spirit to achieve GI status since the UK GI scheme was launched in 2021. The drink also becomes Wales's first GI spirit and joins 19 other members of the Welsh GI family of products which includes Welsh lamb, Anglesey Sea salt, and Caerphilly cheese.
Wales' whisky industry has expanded in recent years since the revival and relaunch of a single malt Welsh whisky product by Penderyn distillery in 2004. Penderyn distillery was one of four Welsh distilleries which applied for GI status. The others were In the Welsh Wind, Da Mhile, and Coles.
Stephen Davies, chief executive at Penderyn, said: "The achievement of UKGI status for single malt Welsh whisky is a significant milestone for Penderyn as a producer, and also for the wider Welsh whisky industry. It assists in safeguarding both the quality of the product and also its source of origin.
"It's an exciting step forward and one that puts focus on an industry that has been growing steadily over the last 20 years."
Single malt Welsh whisky is forecast to generate a revenue of £23m in the current financial year including domestic, export and travel retail sales. The UK GI scheme was established at the beginning of 2021, following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
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