October 6, 2025: A focus on whisky and news from the last week
UK whisky exports, US whiskey production, Whisky Live Paris, Indian airports, Jamaican Rum GI, Cognac situation, partner content analysis, methanol in Brasil and more...
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Missed me?
I did miss you during such an intense week! Whisky Live Paris, plus the final proofing for the next Falstaff Magazine issue, and a nasty flu, all conspired to keep me away from the news. Too bad. Let’s catch up all at once.
We’ll start with whisk(e)y, which feels appropriate after one of the most important events of the year in Europe. Following that, we’ll have a recap of the most significant news from the last week. It’s going to take a while…
Whisky in focus
UK whisky export to US down by volume and value in H1
According to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), UK whisky exports to the US declined by 3.4% in volume and by 3.9% in value (£458.9 million) in the first six months of the year. Globally, UK whisky exports decreased by 3.1% in volume, but rose by 1% to £2.5 billion in value. Turkey is emerging as a new target market, showing considerable growth in both volume and value.
You can read the details in Nicola Carruthers’s in The Spirits Business:
How blends can help Scotch whisky exports
Richard Woodard pens a detailed comment in Just Drinks about the current market performances of Scotch and Irish whisk(e)ys, focusing specifically on the crucial role of blended Scotch for exports.
You can red it here:
I thought you might also be interested in some figures, and Commercial Spirits Intelligence provides an accurate report covering both bottled and bulk export performances:
(A subscription is required, but I believe it is worth it.)
American whisky production hits lowest level since pre-pandemic
According to the US Treasury Department, American whiskey distilleries produced 78 million proof gallons between January and April 2025, corresponding to 28% less than the same period last year. Whiskey destined for export has seen a steep drop of 70%.
Jonah Flicker is writing about this on Robb Report:
Francesco Signa on the future of whisky
The managing director of La Maison & Velier shares his point of view on the current whisky market situation, following the end of Whisky Live Paris 2025. The event, organised by LM&V, included more than 300 spirits brands and 201 distilleries from 34 different countries.
Interview by Giambattista Marchetto on the Italian b2b online publication Italia A Tavola:
Il futuro del whisky è di nicchia: qualità artigianale e prezzo che farà la differenza
Alcohol sales grow in Indian airports
According to the IWSR, there has been a significant rise in alcohol sales across duty-free shops in Indian airports.
The Indian publication The Economic Times is writing a full report on this here (with a rather amusing title…):
Flying high: Duty-free alcohol surge at airports shows India is on the move
Jamaica
Jamaica Rum’s 2024 GI Revision paused due to local ageing contention
A recent court order has paused the Jamaica Rum’s 2024 GI (Geographical Indication) Revisions, following an opposition filed by National Rum of Jamaica (NRJ). The central point of contention is the requirement that ageing must occur in Jamaica.
Matt Pietrek is summarising the situation for us in his blog, Rum Wonk:
Cognac
Cognac sales hit lowest point since 2009
We know the situation in Charente is difficult. According to the French newspaper La Tribune, global sales of Cognac reached 149 million bottles in the year between August 2024 and August 2025, marking an 8.7% plunge in volume compared to the previous year.
Article by Maxime Giraudeau in La Tribune:
Les ventes de cognac au plus bas depuis 15 ans avec les restrictions en Chine et aux Etats-Unis
100k hl of exceeding wine in Cognac, UGVC asks EU for compensations
While the 2025 harvest was not abundant in Charente, there is still exceeding wine to be managed, and a rise in exports is not expected in the near future.
The Union Générale des Viticulteurs pour l’AOC Cognac (UGVC) is asking the EU for support for the sector, which has been severely affected by geopolitical tensions.
Alexandre Abellan on exceeding wine on Vitisphère:
100 000 hl de vins excédentaires à Cognac qui demande une prime d’arrachage bonifiée à l’Europe
…and the UGVC official press release here:
L’UGVC demande des compensations à Bruxelles en plus de l’arrachage national
Brasil
Brazil Faces Methanol Intoxication Cases in São Paulo
There is a rising alert about the risk of contamination from methanol in Brazil, following several severe cases reported in São Paulo last week. Contaminated drinks have sadly caused the death of six people and a total of 22 intoxications. The source of the methanol is currently under investigation by the authorities. Cachaça does not appear to be the reason for the moment, but the alert is high due to previous cases that occurred in the Nineties.
Article by Maysa Polcri on Correio here:
Bebidas adulteradas com metanol já mataram mais de 60 pessoas na Bahia; relembre
…and an update by Brasil247 (no author mentioned):
Content analysis
Pisco Partner Content: High Percentages, Low Detail
According to preliminary ProChile data, “exports of Chilean pisco soared by nearly 120% in the UK last year, driven by new partnerships and broader distribution,” says an article by Miona Madsen on The Spirits Business.
Here is the catch: There is no trace of concrete figures in the rest of the article. High percentages are an attractive thing to put in a title but mean nothing without the starting numbers. A simple example: if you had 1 bottle of water last month and now you have 2, you’ve grown by 100%, but it’s still only 2 bottles of water.
You can check the article here:
…then the next article on Chilean Pisco you find is a partner content by the same author:
Okay, let’s be clear: partner content can genuinely be valuable, but it has to be built wisely and give true, useful information to the readers. If it doesn’t, it’s just a waste of money.
Enough for today, I’ll see you on Wednesday ;)