Make the changes you want to see

Dear Friend,

It's been some time since I reached out to you all and I have a favour to ask of you and please share it amongst your friends and enthusiasts who might not be on our list.

The deadline to have your say on the future of the Irish Whiskey Technical File is 4pm tomorrow, 4 September.

We need your help.

The members of the Irish Whiskey Guild of whom I am a founding member and director have made a number of proposals to improve the rules around Irish whiskey including Pot Still Whiskey, peated whiskey, grain use, labelling, transparency, definitions and consumer information.

It takes just 5 minutes. Copy our letter below and choose the points you agree with.
You do not need to support everything we do.

Add some of your your own words explaining why if you wish to see these changes implemented and send your submission to the Department before 4pm on 4 September. If you are part of a society, whiskey group or someway involved in the industry supply chain please mention that in your letter.

Submissions should be sent via e-mail with reference “Public Consultation Irish Whiskey” to: spiritdrinksconsultation@agriculture.gov.ie

That's it.

Your individual submission matters. The more genuine, personal responses the Department receives, the harder it is to overlook the views of whiskey producers, enthusiasts and consumers.

NOTE: PLEASE DO IT TODAY, DEADLINE: 4PM, 4TH SEPTEMBER 2026

Thank you for helping us protect and improve the Irish whiskey we all love so dear.

Sláinte

The O'Connell Whiskey Merchants Team

Subject: Public Consultation – Irish Whiskey Product Specification

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in response to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s public consultation on proposed amendments to the Irish Whiskey Product Specification (Technical File).

I support the submission made by the Irish Whiskey Guild (IWG) and ask the Department to give full consideration to the Guild’s proposals.

I particularly support the following IWG proposals. I have included only those points that I personally support:

1. Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Other Grains

IWG proposal: Increase the maximum permitted use of other grains in Pot Still Irish Whiskey from 5% to 30%, with those other grains limited to oats, rye and wheat, excluding maize/corn.

The IWG argues that historical records demonstrate the use of other grains in Irish pot still production, often at levels of up to 30%, and that the proposed change would better reflect historical practice while allowing greater product diversity and competitiveness.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

2. Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Malted Other Grains

IWG proposal: Permit malted oats, rye and wheat, as well as malted barley, to be used in Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

The IWG’s position is that malting can apply to different grains and that malted oats, rye and wheat can provide distinctive characteristics that distillers may wish to use.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

3. Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Peated Whiskey

IWG proposal: Remove the reference to “currently non-peated” from the Pot Still Irish Whiskey definition, thereby allowing peated Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

The IWG states that historical evidence supports the use of peat and that DAFM confirmed in correspondence in 2020 that peated Pot Still Irish Whiskey is already permitted under the existing GI.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

4. Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Distillation

IWG proposal: Amend the specification to state “Minimum two distillations required”, rather than describing triple distillation as the traditional practice.

The IWG argues that both double and triple distillation are legitimate Irish whiskey production methods and that the specification should not give the impression that one method is inherently more traditional or legitimate than another.

The IWG also states that multiple distillations can be achieved through sequential batch processing using a single pot still and therefore do not necessarily require multiple physical stills.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

5. Malt Irish Whiskey – Removal of Subjective Descriptions

IWG proposal: Remove subjective and non-quantifiable descriptions from the definition of Malt Irish Whiskey, including descriptions such as:

“distinctive smooth, velvet, full and oily texture with a malty and sweet taste”; and
“fruity, floral and malty character”.

The IWG’s position is that such descriptions are subjective, open to interpretation and unsuitable as legal definitions within a Technical File.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

6. 100% Irish Grains – Controls and Certification

IWG proposal: Introduce controls and guarantees for claims relating to the use of 100% Irish grains, potentially using the existing Irish Grain Assurance Scheme (IGAS) for verification.

The IWG also proposes a voluntary certification or label acronym to allow consumers to identify whiskey made exclusively from Irish grains.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

7. Definitions of Distillers, Bonders and Independent Bottlers/Brand Owners

IWG proposal: Introduce formal definitions in the Technical File for Distillers, Bonders and Independent Bottlers/Brand Owners, together with mandatory labelling rules using the relevant codes.

The IWG argues that this would improve transparency and help consumers distinguish between businesses that actually distil whiskey and those whose role is maturation, blending, bottling or brand ownership.

The IWG also emphasises the historical role of bonders in Irish whiskey.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

8. Packed Column Stills

IWG proposal: Permit the use of packed column stills for Irish whiskey manufacture, while not permitting their use for the established Pot Still, Malt or Grain Whiskey categories.

The IWG provides a technical rationale concerning the operation of packed column stills and their ability to purify alcohol through continuous reflux.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

9. Irish Whiskey Colour

IWG proposal: Remove the fixed colour description “pale gold to dark amber” from the specification.

The IWG argues that whiskey can naturally acquire a broader range of colours depending on the casks used for maturation, including reddish hues from sherry and red-wine casks.

The IWG also points out that E150a caramel colouring can darken whiskey but cannot be used to lighten or neutralise a reddish colour.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

10. “Peated” Labelling

IWG proposal: Establish clear rules governing the use of “Peated” on Irish whiskey labels.

The IWG proposes that the term should apply where peated barley is used in the mash bill and should not be displayed more prominently than the whiskey category.

It also proposes allowing the term “Peated Cask” where whiskey has been matured in a cask that previously held peated whiskey.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

11. Declaration of Caramel Colouring

IWG proposal: Require a clear declaration on the label where E150a caramel colouring has been used.

The IWG’s position is that this would improve transparency for consumers and provide a clear distinction for producers who do not use caramel colouring.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

12. Historical References in the Technical File

IWG proposal: Review or remove historical material in the Technical File where it is potentially inaccurate, subjective or based on a single historical perspective.

The IWG argues that a legal document defining a Geographical Indication should principally rely on objective, verifiable and current production criteria.

Where historical material is retained, the IWG proposes that relevant representative organisations and perspectives should be properly represented rather than presenting a potentially incomplete or biased historical account.

I support this proposal because:
[Add your own reason in your own words.]

Conclusion

I believe that the Irish Whiskey Product Specification should protect the authenticity, reputation, heritage and integrity of Irish whiskey while also allowing legitimate production practices, innovation and competition to develop.

I believe the IWG’s proposals would help ensure that the Technical File is clear, objective, transparent and appropriately reflects both the historical development and the future of Irish whiskey.

I therefore respectfully ask the Department to take my views into account and to give due consideration to the Irish Whiskey Guild’s submission and proposals when determining how the Irish Whiskey Product Specification should be amended.

Yours sincerely,

[FULL NAME]

[BUSINESS / ORGANISATION, IF APPLICABLE]

[ROLE, IF APPLICABLE]

[COUNTY / LOCATION]

Sláinte