FDBusiness.com

India has granted geographic indication status to Irish whiskey, a legal protection that will help prevent the sale of fake products in the Indian market. This protection now means that only spirits produced in Ireland can use “Irish whiskey” on their label.

This recognition is a vital tool in supporting the future growth of Irish whiskey in the world’s largest whisky market. It means Irish Whiskey can fully compete against other whiskies by reinforcing the authenticity of the product for the Indian consumer.

India is the largest whisky market in the world with 2.3 billion bottles sold last year, the vast bulk of which is domestically produced. Irish whiskey is competing at premium level with other international whisky categories. In 2018, sales of Irish whiskey doubled to 34,000 cases with further growth now being targeted, particularly in high-growth city regions such as Delhi.

Carleen Madigan, Legal Advisor to Drinks Ireland/Irish Whiskey Association, comments: “Securing the geographical indication for Irish whiskey in India is another landmark for the Irish whiskey category. Like similar registrations achieved earlier in the year in Australia and South Africa, this is another major success in our efforts to protect the integrity of Irish whiskey on a worldwide basis.”

“We will now be able to take much tougher enforcement action against fake Irish whiskey products on sale in India. This protection will also enable us to maximise opportunities to increase sales in this crucial whiskey market as it is an important selling point for the Indian consumer knowing they can enjoy Irish whiskey confident in the quality and authenticity of the product.”