IFA proposes whiskey made with 100% Irish grain

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is proposing the introduction of a whiskey made with 100% Irish grain.

Ahead of the closure of the public consultation on the Irish whiskey product specification this Friday, IFA grain chair John Murphy said he hopes the process will lead to greater recognition of Irish grain in the Irish whiskey sector.

Murphy said there has been significant growth in the Irish whiskey category over the past 12 years, which has increased demand for malted and un-malted barley.

“This has made a meaningful contribution to supporting tillage farm incomes,” he said.

However, he said a significant quantity of maize is imported annually from France as the main raw material in grain Irish whiskey, which he described as the largest Irish whiskey category.

“There is no mention of this on the label of the finished product and tillage farmers believe this in disingenuous and damaging to the authenticity of the Irish whiskey brand.

“An increase in the use of Irish wheat in Irish grain whiskey would improve demand and potentially create significant value for the tillage sector,” Murphy said.

Irish-grown cereals

In its submission, the IFA has proposed the introduction of a whiskey category which is made from 100% Irish grain.

It said this would fully recognise the contribution of Irish-grown cereals and Irish tillage farmers to the heritage and tradition of Irish whiskey.

The IFA stated it is strongly against allowing the use of exotic grains, such as rice, in whiskey production and said only Irish-grown cereals should be allowed.