UK Sees Surge in New Distilleries Opening

According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), the 17 per cent increase in the number of distilleries in the UK has brought the total figure to an estimated 273 distilleries. The number of distilleries has more than doubled since 2010, up 135 per cent.

Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA said, “From traditional products like Scotch, to the Great British gin boom and newer products like English and Welsh Whisky, it is an exciting time for spirits producers across the UK. Consumers here at home and around the world have developed a real thirst for top quality British spirits, and a new distillery is coming online at the equivalent rate of one per week to rise to that challenge.

“As the government negotiates free-trade deals with both Europe and third countries there is a real opportunity for the UK to boost its exporting capacity by trading quality spirits overseas. We have already seen how successful and in-demand British gin is to 139 countries around the world. But we believe with the right support the industry can go further to access more markets overseas.’