Penderyn resident Nigel Short declared that the beverage was “truly world class,” and the protected status that was obtained the previous year supported that claim.
Twenty Welsh food and drink products have been granted protected geographical indicator (PGI) designation, including single malt.
PGI designation protects and promotes the authenticity of Welsh lamb, leeks, and Caerphilly cheese.
Product protection and promotion from a certain nation or region are achieved by PGI status.
The process of obtaining protection for Welsh whiskey took three years, during which an audit was conducted to verify that the single malt was produced in Wales.
Penderyn is one of five single malt makers in Wales that are eligible to use the PGI designation, which offers them similar protection to that of Scotch and Irish whiskies and protects them against imitation.
The company’s two other distilleries are located in Llandudno and Swansea, and its headquarters are located in Penderyn, in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, popularly known as the Brecon Beacons.
The Scottish whisky market is worth about £6 billion to the UK economy, making Welsh whisky manufacturing insignificant.
Recently, the industry has seen a slump in sales of luxury items; Penderyn expects that its PGI certification would increase its appeal.
“We currently export to about 40 countries, with the United States, France, and Germany being our largest markets,” Mr. Short stated.
