Welsh whisky gains UK’s special protected origin label

Welsh single malt whisky from four distilleries in south and west Wales – Coles, Da Mhile, In the Welsh Wind and Penderyn – has been awarded protected geographical indication (UK GI) status, the scheme brought in to replace the EU’s protected designation of origin label.

After Brexit, British government introduced the alternative designation, amid fears that foodstuffs such as Cornish pasties would be left without legal protection from imitations. In 2021, south Wales led the way, with Gower lamb becoming the first British product to gain recognition under the new UK PGI scheme. Later that year it was joined by lamb from the Cambrian mountains, which cover most of Wales.

The announcement on single malt Welsh whisky comes amid a backdrop of a rapid expansion in production over recent years.

"The achievement of UKGI status for single malt Welsh whisky is a significant milestone for Penderyn as a producer, and also for the wider Welsh whisky industry," The Guardian quoted the chief executive of Penderyn distillery, Stephen Davies, as saying.

Labelling the newly announced status as “an exciting step forward”, Davies also added that it “assists in safeguarding both the quality of the product and also its source of origin”.

Wales’ food and drink industry saw exports at a record high of £640 million in 2021. Earlier this month, the Welsh government announced a new fund to encourage food and drink festivals by way of small grants “to improve visitor access to and awareness of Welsh food and drink”.

The market for whisky, which includes exports to more than 45 countries, is seen as a growing contributor to the sector, with forecasts predicting a revenue of £23m from total sales in this financial year.

Lesley Griffiths MS, the Welsh government minister for rural affairs, stated that it is brilliant news single malt whisky has joined the Welsh GI family with its name now protected.

However, UK GI only protects registered product names when they are sold in Great Britain and not in the EU and Northern Ireland. The Welsh government agency Business Wales said it hoped the UK GI scheme would act as a “stepping stone for those wanting to go on to apply for EU” protected status.