The English Whisky Guild (EWG) established in May 2022 is delighted to announce that its Geographical Indication (GI) submission for English Whisky has, after four years, reached the approval stage and is awaiting Ministerial sign-off before proceeding to public consultation. English Whisky is now enjoyed in over 30 markets around the world and has a growing international appeal.
This consultation phase will allow stakeholders and interested parties to review and feedback on the application. The EWG is confident their application will be approved, in line with the three other UK nations of whisky, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which each have their own national Whisky Geographical Indications that legally protect their whisky production.
The English Whisky Guild has worked with its 26 member distilleries in creating the proposed GI. Through equal and collegial input from all members of the English Whisky Guild they have sought to create an agreed position that covers the exciting new developments of English Whisky. Throughout the process EWG has worked with DEFRA to ensure the English Whisky standard aligns with UK GI criteria.
With over 30 new English distilleries opening in the last three years, the demand for English Whisky continues to soar. The EWG recognises the need to establish a country-specific whisky standard which is crucial to ensure quality, authenticity and market differentiation. It also looks to establishes common standards for distilleries, thereby assuring consumers of the consistent and defined technical standards of English Whisky they are purchasing.
The common standards submitted to DEFRA encompasses a wide range of practices used by English distilleries in whisky production and supports innovation, which the EWG sees as a crucial component of an English Whisky GI. Distillers have been combining traditional techniques with innovative practices, such as using different types of oak barrels and experimenting with various aging conditions which has led to a wide range of flavour profiles.
Other innovative activities include collaboration with local breweries. Some of the EWG members collaborate with local breweries allowing them to create unique and distinctive products. This partnership not only supports local economies but also fosters innovation and sustainability by combining the expertise of both brewers and distillers creating interesting collaborations. It also enables smaller distilleries to operate sustainably by reducing initial capital expenditure on equipment.
Morag Garden, CEO of The English Whisky Guild, says, “We are excited for English Whisky to gain a Geographical Indication (GI) and this consultation phase with DEFRA is the next step towards achieving this. We are confident that English Whisky will join the three other nations in the UK with a whisky GI and we are delighted that this growing whisky category is heading towards legal protection. This will support sales of English Whisky both in the UK and in over 30 export markets globally.”
Daniel Szor, Chair of The English Whisky Guild and Founder of The Cotswolds Distillery, adds: “It is vital for our booming English whisky industry to receive GI status, ensuring quality and innovation are at the forefront of all we do. We have also seen the boost that English Whisky production has not only given the economy but also to tourism in England and are confident that granting GI status will support the UK economy in the long term.”
