Slow growth and intense global competition are pivoting distilleries toward innovation, exploring niche styles and high-end or boutique offerings to differentiate themselves. Many of the smaller Irish distilleries claim the key to survival is building strong local tourism and tasting-room venues.

Credits: Unsplash; Author: Timothy James;

Whiskey producers are increasingly required to be more transparent in their labelling, as consumers demand to know exactly who made what. A more local-focused approach is also emerging, because export margins alone simply are not enough to sustain operations.