Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Status

PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status protects the names of products that come from specific geographical locations within the UK. UK products you may be aware of with Geographical Indication protection are Scotch Whisky, Stilton Cheese and Jersey Royal Potatoes to name a few.

Products with a PGI have unique qualities, characteristics and reputations associated with their origin, meaning they are of high quality and adhere to specific quality standards.

Products with PGI status protect them from misuse, misrepresentation of the name and imitation, which means as a consumer you can be confident that what you buy or consume is high quality and a reputable product. This helps preserve the authenticity and distinctiveness of these products, safeguarding the product from counterfeits and false claims, and protecting both producers and consumers.

With a PGI quality mark, not only does it highlight the amazing Welsh food and drink producers we have in this part of the world, but it also demonstrates the pride and passion we all have in producing Welsh products and helps promote Wales on a global stage. Not only that… Single Malt Welsh Whisky (PGI) UK GI status is also the first UK spirit and the first Welsh spirit to achieve this status!

Put simply, when you buy a Single Malt Welsh Whisky, you are receiving a product which meets one of the highest quality marks. You can be assured the product you’re purchasing was produced, matured and bottled in Wales. It helps build trust among consumers, as they know they are purchasing an authentic and high-quality product from Wales.

The application for the PGI was led by four distilleries in Wales, ourselves (Penderyn Distillery), In the Welsh Wind, Dà Mhìle and Coles. In achieving this status for Single Malt Welsh Whisky, it demonstrates our commitment and passion for Wales and producing Welsh products.

When you pick up a bottle of Welsh whisky, you’ll be able to identify from the label if it has PGI status and it will clearly state ‘Single Malt Welsh Whisky’ in full. If this isn’t on the label it is not a Single Malt Welsh Whisky and therefore the quality and standard aren’t verified.

Yes, in fact, there are now a total of 20 items on the Welsh GI list which Single Malt Welsh Whisky (PGI) now sits alongside, from Anglesey Sea Salt PDO to PGI Welsh Beef and Welsh Leeks PGI to Traditional Welsh Caerphilly PGI.