Whiskey exports are set to double by the year 2020 and double again in the 10 years after that. The Irish Whiskey Association was launched today to promote the spirit abroad and to support new entrants to the market.
There are currently more than 15 new distilleries being developed in locations across the country.
The Irish whiskey sector is set to invest over €1 billion in Ireland in the next 10 years.
The Irish Whiskey Association has released statistics which show Irish whiskey exports have grown by 220% since 2003, and are now valued at €350 million.
it says that in 2003, Irish whiskey made up just over 9% of beverages export - which has grown to over 28% of total beverages exports from Ireland.
Irish whiskey employs 5,000 directly and indirectly, and that number is set to grow to 6,500 by 2025.
And it says that Irish whiskey sells into 77 countries - with the USA, France, Germany, Russia and the UK accounting for almost 75% of total sales.
Launching the Association this morning, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney says the sector is experiencing a real boom.
