Are there any European rye whiskies?

I usually answer this question by highlighting some whisky producers that I really enjoy, such as Stauning from Denmark and Kyrö from Finland, who use rye in their mashbills.

Kyrö is even an all-rye distillery, so that is the sole focus and base for all their spirit products.

Most whisky producers who make a rye whisky tend to use at least 51% rye in the mash bill, which is along the lines of the regulations for American rye whiskey.

Things have been left up in the air at the moment, however, after several rye whisky producers from various European countries came together on April 1, and taking to social media to highlight a big issue for the around 20 distilleries who had been making rye whisky products within the EU.

They are actually not allowed to call their product rye whisky.

(Image: Newsquest) It's no April Fools, though I'm sure many wish it was. So, what is the reason for this?

The EU and Canada entered a trade agreement in 2003 which states: "by the end of a transitional period of two years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the Community shall recognise rye whisky as referring........

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