As the European Rye Whisky Producers take collective action against the EU-Canada trade agreement, it looks like Dave Worthington got (part of) his Christmas wish…
I was ecstatic to read the joint letter from the European Rye Whisky Producers following Mikko Koskinen’s New Year’s address on LinkedIn.
The collective action taken by this impressive group of distillers across Europe, including industry pioneers like Zuidam, Kyrö, and Stauning, is a powerful and crucial step toward securing the future of this complex and captivating whisky category.
The “European Rye problem”
This letter directly addresses the “European Rye problem” I highlighted in my piece, A Love Letter to Rye Whisky, particularly the “astonishing 20-year-old agreement with Canada” that prohibits European producers from labelling their products as “Rye Whisky.” The producers’ demands align perfectly with the aspirations I laid out for the category. Removing “Rye Whisky” from the current Treaty Annexe is the most critical demand. As noted in the collective letter:
- The current situation is harmful to the industry on both sides.
- Canadian Rye Whisky is a specific style and not representative of the whole category.
- Canadian Rye Whisky is already protected under GI (Geographical Indication) in the EU, making the additional term reservation unnecessary.
My initial hope was for a formal “Rye Whisky” classification to be introduced across Europe. The producers’ demand for removing the restrictive term from the treaty annexe is a vital prerequisite for this. The fact that the Canadian regulation is “very open,” not requiring any use of rye, while the original and European styles are rye-centric (like Kyrö’s 100% Finnish wholegrain malted rye), makes the current exclusion fundamentally misleading to consumers and anti-competitive.
The letter’s proposed actions go beyond mere regulation and promote a positive vision for growth, which is fantastic to see: This will “grow the pie (loaf!)” for both EU and Canadian producers. I believe a strong, legally recognised European Rye Whisky category will only strengthen the global appreciation for rye in all its forms, whether American, Pennsylvania, Monongahela, Empire, or Canadian.
This is Rye Whisky. And we should be able to call it that.
The European Rye Whisky Movement
The producers’ letter provides a powerful snapshot of the category’s strength, which reinforces my belief that European Rye Whisky is now producing some of the world’s finest expressions. I hope this letter catalyses immediate action. The outcome of this renegotiation will not only affect the livelihoods of the 18+ producers who signed the letter but will also set a precedent for how trade terms and treaties are protected in the future.
The European Rye Whisky Producers have provided the policy makers with a clear, rational, and economically compelling case for change. I wholeheartedly support their demands and look forward to the day when the complexity and unique character of European Rye Whisky can be clearly and legally labelled for all consumers.
I also hope both the Scotch Whisky Association and The English Whisky Council are taking note!
In the meantime, I shall be running through 31 of my favourite ryes for my #31DaysOfJanuaRYE challenge on social media!
