Sales of Irish whiskey in the United States are up by 17.5 percent, according to analysis carried out by Bord Bia (Ireland’s Food Board) Offices in North America.

In 2010, the value of whiskey exports to the United States was $94.8 million. However, this figured has now jumped by 77 percent to $167 million over the past two years.

Anna Power, at Bord Bia's North American Office, told the Irish Independent Irish whiskey is now “a clear leader among all spirit categories.”

Last year sales of Irish whiskey grew by almost 20 percent to $192 million.

Although Irish whiskey accounts for just 5 percent of all whiskey sold in the US, it makes up over 13 percent of the revenue.

Powers added, “These positive trends, albeit of a small volume, bode well for the future success of Irish whiskey, for established brands, emerging brands, and new entrants.”

This should come as no surprise as a survey carried out by Technomic reported back in 2012 that Irish whiskey was the fastest growing spirit in the American market.

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