Irish whiskey and Irish poteen Geographical Indications (GI) Verification Scheme

The application process

Application forms are available for Irish whiskey verification and Irish poteen verification. You should send your application form to your Revenue office.

If you are opening a new production facility, you should apply to Revenue as early as possible, and well in advance of commencing operations.

Revenue will verify your premises for a year following your receipt of a successful verification visit. At the end of the year, you will have to reapply and pay the appropriate fee.

You must include representative samples of labels in electronic form with your application. Revenue will forward copies of these labels to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Prior to the introduction of any new label or brand, traders should contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at spiritlabels@agriculture.gov.ie for advice with regard to the spirit drink labelling requirements.

If you introduce new labels between verification visits, you should keep copies which Revenue officers will inspect at the next verification visit.

If you engage in the:

• blending
• bottling
• or
• labelling

of Irish whiskey or Irish poteen outside Ireland, you should contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. They will advise you on arrangements for the verification of these products.

Revenue requires applications for verification from existing producers by 29 January each year.

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