India: Irish Whiskey gets Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

September 10, 2019

Geographical Indication

India: World’s largest producer of Irish Whiskey

The Irish Whiskey Association (hereinafter referred to as ‘IWA’) was granted a Geographical Indication (hereinafter referred to as ‘GI’) tag for Irish Whiskey sold in India. The protection signifies that only spirits that are produced in Ireland will now be able to use the label “Irish whiskey”.

According to the IWA, India sold 2.3 billion bottles last to become the largest producer of whiskey in the world with majority of it being produced in the last year. As per the figures released by International Wine and Spirit Record (hereinafter referred to as IWSR),[1] India is home to 4 of the world’s 10 fastest growing spirits brands in the year 2018.[2] The annual report published by IWA in May 2019 disclosed that the sales of Irish whiskey has increased by two times to 34,000 cases in 2018.

Irish whiskey has already won a GI tag in European Union member countries in April this year. Furthermore, the IWA has won GI protection in Australia earlier this year and last month they also secured a GI tag in South Africa. The IWA is planning to further enhance growth internationally, especially in Latin America and the US, high growth regions like Delhi are also part of the plan.

Related Posts

India: Protection of Geographical Indications

GI registration benefits in India

To know more about GI click here.

[1] https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2019/09/irish-whiskey-gains-gi-status-in-india/

[2] Id.

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