Volcanic Wine Awards | The Jancis Robinson Story | 🎁 25% off annual & gift memberships

Whisky takes off

Monday 5 June 2023 • 1 min read
Raasay distillery construction

In the first of his regular series, celebrated whisky writer Dave Broom describes how interest in whisky (and American and Irish whiskey) has been exploding worldwide. Above, R&B Distillers' construction of the Isle of Raasay distillery, visitor centre and hotel in 2016.

There are now more than 140 whisky distilleries in Scotland, 250 in Australia, 200 in France, 100 in Japan, 27 in China and over 1,500 in the US. I could go on.

It is a recent phenomenon. In 2009, Ireland had four distilleries. Now it has 50. A decade ago England had three, now there are 49.

The world’s...

Become a member to continue reading
JancisRobinson.com 25th anniversaty logo

Celebrating 25 years of building the world’s most trusted wine community

In honour of our anniversary, enjoy 25% off all annual and gift memberships for a limited time.

Use code HOLIDAY25 to join our community of wine experts and enthusiasts. Valid through 1 January.

Member
$135
/year
Save over 15% annually
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
  • Access 286,112 wine reviews & 15,816 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
 
Ideal for collectors
  • Access 286,112 wine reviews & 15,816 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
  • Access 286,112 wine reviews & 15,816 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
  • Access 286,112 wine reviews & 15,816 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Pay with
Visa logo Mastercard logo American Express logo Logo for more payment options
Join our newsletter

Get the latest from Jancis and her team of leading wine experts.

By subscribing you agree with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

More Drinks not wine

Heather Tillott of Sullivan's Cove
Drinks not wine A wine-first approach is opening up a new whisky world. Above, Heather Tillott, distillery manager at Tasmania’s Sullivans Cove. I...
Isle of Raasay by Christina Kernohan
Drinks not wine Head to the Hebrides to take in a raft of new distillers working to bring life and traditions back to...
Brendan Carty of Killowen in County Down
Drinks not wine From just two distilleries in the 1980s to nearly 40 today, Irish pot-still whiskey is back in a big and...
whisky supertanker in rough seas
Drinks not wine Our whisky specialist argues that what’s needed is something genuinely different and quality at a sensible price – and offers...

More from JancisRobinson.com

Wine news in 5 logo and Bibendum wine duty graphic
Wine news in 5 Plus potential fraud in Vinho Verde, China’s recognition of Burgundy appellations, and the campaign for protected land in Australia’s Barossa...
My glasses of Yquem being filled at The Morris
Free for all Go on, spoil yourself! A version of this article is published by the Financial Times . Above, my glasses being...
Brokenwood Stuart Hordern and Kate Sturgess
Wines of the week A brilliantly buzzy white wine with the power to transform deliciously over many years. And prices start at just €19.90...
Fortified tasting chez JR
Tasting articles Sherry, port and Madeira in profusion. This is surely the time of year when you can allow yourself to take...
Saldanha exterior
Inside information On South Africa’s remote West Coast an unlikely fortified-wine revival is taking place. Malu Lambert reports. Saldanha’s castle is an...
Still-life photograph of bottles of wine and various herbs and spices
Inside information Part three of an eight-part series on how to pair wine with Asian flavours, adapted from Richard’s book. Click here...
Old-vine Clairette at Château de St-Cosme
Tasting articles Gigondas Blanc lives up to its new appellation in 2024. Above, Clairette at Château de St-Cosme, one of the vintage’s...
Hervesters in the vineyard at Domaine Richaud in Cairanne
Tasting articles Cairanne and Rasteau headline the 2024 vintage among the southern crus, but there’s plenty to like in other appellations, too...
Wine inspiration delivered directly to your inbox, weekly
Our weekly newsletter is free for all
By subscribing you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.