Single Malt Welsh Whisky has secured Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) UK GI status.

The premium drink joins a range of products, including Welsh Beef, Welsh Lamb, Traditionally Reared Pedigree Welsh Pork and Welsh Leeks to achieve UK GI status.

The UK GI scheme was established at the beginning of 2021, following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and ensures certain food and drink products can continue to receive legal protection against imitation and misuse.

Food, drink and agricultural products with a geographical connection or that are made using traditional methods can be registered and protected as intellectual property under UK GI status.

Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths, said: “It is brilliant news Single Malt Welsh Whisky has joined the Welsh GI family with it’s name now protected.

“The Welsh whisky industry continues to go from strength to strength, playing an important role in the food and drink sector here in Wales.

“I am very pleased for all those involved in gaining this prestigious status and ensures this fantastic product gains the recognition and prestige it deserves.”

The increase in Welsh Whisky producers led to a collective of four Welsh distilleries being part of the final application for PGI status - Penderyn, In the Welsh Wind, Da Mhile, and Coles.

Stephen Davies, Chief Executive at Penderyn said: "The achievement of UKGI status for Single Malt Welsh Whisky is a significant milestone for Penderyn as a producer, and also for the wider Welsh whisky industry. It assists in safeguarding both the quality of the product and also its source of origin.

"It’s an exciting step forward and one that puts focus on an industry that has been growing steadily over the last 20 years."

Single Malt Welsh Whisky is forecast to generate a revenue of £23 million in the current financial year including domestic, export and travel retail sales.

All product names protected in the EU on 31 December 2020 following successful applications to the EU GI schemes are protected under the UK and EU GI schemes.

There are four UK GI schemes - Food Agricultural Products, Wine, Aromatised wine and the fourth is Spirit Drinks.