The Spirits Post is an international press review about the spirits industry brought to you by Eugenia Torelli, an Italian spirits journalist and judge. If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, you can subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox:
Hello everyone!
A genuinely good news day to start with: English whisky has finally secured Geographical Indication status, six years in the making. Trump was in a generous mood too, promising to scrap the Irish whiskey tariff after a weekend at his Doonbeg golf course—though as ever with this administration, we’ll believe it when we see the paperwork.
Less cheerful: the US-Canada trade war has escalated further, with a near-total US ban on Canadian alcohol now confirmed, following on from last week’s news. On the market side, spiritsEUROPE’s new trade report paints a sobering picture of EU export declines, though Scotch whisky’s own H1 export data offers a more encouraging read.
And a save-the-date for those of you heading to Paris later this month: I’ll be at Whisky Live, so do say hello if you’re going too!
Enjoy!
UK
English whisky finally wins its own protected status
England’s whisky category has secured Geographical Indication status from Defra, six years after the English Whisky Guild first began the process. The decision puts “English Whisky” and “English Whiskey” on an equal legal footing with Scotch, Welsh, and Irish whiskey. Unusually among the UK’s whisky GIs, all cereal grain must be grown in the UK, though the rules retain flexibility around cask wood and still design. The category has grown fast, from 46 distilleries in 2023 to more than 70 today, spanning Cornwall to Northumberland, with maturing stock estimated at £1 billion and exports reaching over 30 countries.
You can read the news on the English Whisky Guild’s website:
(There’s more expected on this in the coming days, so watch this space.)
US-Ireland
Trump pledges to scrap Irish whiskey tariff after Doonbeg visit
Speaking at the trophy ceremony for the Irish Open at his own Doonbeg course, Donald Trump announced he intends to remove the 10% US tariff currently applied to Irish whiskey, which was reduced from 15% back in July. “Everybody’s been bugging me” to do it, Trump told the crowd, pledging the move “on behalf of the United States of America.” The announcement follows a similar tariff removal for UK whiskies (including Scotch) in May, after a visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Irish Whiskey Association welcomed the news, noting Irish whiskey exports to the US were worth €450 million last year. No formal timeline has yet been given for when the change will take effect.
Read the article by Ashlea Ebeling in the Wall Street Journal:
US-Canada trade wars
Trump escalates further with near-total ban on Canadian alcohol imports
Following on from last week’s news, the White House issued a proclamation on 8 September confirming a near-total ban on Canadian alcohol imports to the US, covering spirits, wine, and malt beer, effective 29 September. The move follows the collapse of trade talks and a 50% tariff imposed in August, and is framed as retaliation for the provincial boycotts of US alcohol that have run since early 2025.
You can read Joe Rogers’ article in The Spirits Business:
Markets
EU spirits exports fall 6% as sector calls for open trade policy
SpiritsEUROPE’s 2026 Trade Report shows European spirits exports declined 6% in value between 2024 and 2025, hit by geopolitical tensions and disrupted global trade, with the US and China—the sector’s two biggest markets—particularly affected. More than 55% of EU spirits exports by value go outside the bloc, underlining how exposed the sector is to international conditions. Emerging markets, notably India and Sub-Saharan Africa, are gaining importance, though the report stresses these cannot replace established markets overnight.
You can read the press release on spiritsEUROPE’s official website:
Scotch whisky exports show signs of recovery in H1 2026
Commercial Spirits Intelligence’s latest analysis of HMRC export data shows Scotch whisky volumes rose 6% in H1 2026 versus H1 2025, reaching more than 50 million 9-litre cases, with value up 3% to around £2.4 billion. Single malt looks to have turned a corner too, up 6% (550,000 cases) year-on-year, though still 32% below its 2022 peak. Bulk exports remain a bright spot, up 7% year-on-year and now 38% above 2019 levels, continuing to cushion the wider category. Japan and India (via bulk) are growing fastest, while the US and UAE have declined. Overall, the authors conclude the market looks to be recovering, though volumes remain well below 2022 highs.
You can read Martin Purvis and Duncan McFadzean’s article in Commercial Spirits Intelligence (subscription required):
Something to plan
See you at Whisky Live Paris?
Whisky Live Paris returns for its 22nd edition, running from 26 to 28 September at the Grande Halle de la Villette. Expect the usual sprawl of tastings across whisky, rum, sake, agave spirits, and cocktails, plus masterclasses from master distillers and blenders.
If you’re planning to be there, drop me a message—I’d love to meet up!
Find out more on the official event website:
That’s all for today. See you soon!
(In Paris, maybe?)
Cheers, 🍹