Irish whiskey’s status as a geographical indication (GI) has been approved by the European Commission, again. Irish whiskey has had GI protection since 1989, however a 2008 EU Spirit Regulation ruled that member states were required to submit a technical file for each GI registered. These technical files outlined the production methods, ingredients and links with the geographical area in question. The technical file from Ireland was submitted in 2014 by the Department of Agriculture and approved by the European Commission in March 2019.

Irish cream and Irish poitín were also approved as GIs.

“This is a momentous achievement for the Irish whiskey industry and ensures that the traditions and high standards of the Irish whiskey category will be protected in the EU and globally in markets with which the EU has a trade agreement,” Carleen Madigan, legal adviser to the Irish Whiskey Association said, welcoming the announcement.

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Irish whiskey has geographical indication status re-confirmed

The European Commission has re-confirmed Irish whiskey’s status as a geographical indication (GI).