Drinks Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the Irish drinks sector, has announced that David Boyd-Armstrong, of Rademon Estate Distillery, in Co. Down, has been elected to a two-year term as chair of the Drinks Ireland | Spirits Council.
Boyd-Armstrong will chair Drinks Ireland | Spirits, which represents the spirits industry across the island of Ireland, on policy advocacy, taxation, trade and market developments, and the ongoing international protection of Ireland’s Geographic Indicators (GIs).
‘New Chapter’
“It is wonderful to see the growing awareness and appreciation, both at home and abroad, of [the] unmatched quality of Irish spirits, especially our protected Geographic Indication (GI) spirits – Irish whiskey, Irish cream, and poitín,” said Boyd-Armstrong.
“I look forward to helping bring the category into a new chapter of continued success and growth.”
Rademon Estate Distillery
Boyd-Armstrong is director of distilling and blending at Rademon Estate Distillery, which he co-founded with Fiona Boyd-Armstrong in 2012.
The Rademon estate is one of the oldest in the country, and the distillery is famous for its Shortcross Gin.
Boyd-Armstrong is also a Warden Rectifier in the Gin Guild and was previously vice-chair of the Drinks Ireland | Spirits Council.
‘Invaluable Experience’
“Our exports have shown remarkable growth over the last decade, and we are confident of the long-term future development of our sector. Nonetheless, there are challenging economic headwinds impacting on the sector at present – inflationary impact on inputs and consumer spending globally, high excise duties, and the cost of finance,” said Aengus King, head of Drinks Ireland | Spirits.
“However, I know that David Boyd-Armstrong will bring his years of invaluable experience and expertise to the role of chair, and I look forward to working with him.”
