Whisky and gin producers fuel 20% rise in number of distillers

Artisan Scotch whisky and gin producers helped fuel growth in the number of UK distillers by a fifth last year, according to research by business advisory firm UHY Hacker Young.

The total jumped to 246 as the demand for boutique whisky, gin, vodka and rum boomed among affluent drinkers for whom the likes of Grants, Gordons and Glens is simply not good enough any more.

The UK gin industry saw export sales increase by 9% to £672 million in 2019, while Scotch whisky exports grew 4.4% to £4.91 billion, according to the report.