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A black fungus is thriving in the midst of Ireland’s whiskey boom – we need to know more about it

Press/Media

Description

On walls, roofs, road signs, trees and other surfaces close to some whiskey maturation facilities, a distinctive black patina appears.

It may look like soot or air pollution, but in some cases the culprit is a fungus: Baudoinia, commonly known as “whiskey fungus” or “whiskey black”, and fuelled by the presence of ethanol alcohol in the air.

 

A recent review led by researchers at University College Cork suggests that ethanol may play several roles for the fungus. It may act as a germination signal and as a source of carbon to support the growth of the fungus.

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1749461326000357 

Period28 Aug 2026

Media coverage

1

Media coverage

  • TitleA black fungus is thriving in the midst of Ireland’s whiskey boom – we need to know more about it
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletThe Conversation
    Media typeOnline Newspaper
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date28/08/26
    DescriptionOn walls, roofs, road signs, trees and other surfaces close to some whiskey maturation facilities, a distinctive black patina appears.

    It may look like soot or air pollution, but in some cases the culprit is a fungus: Baudoinia, commonly known as “whiskey fungus” or “whiskey black”, and fuelled by the presence of ethanol alcohol in the air.



    A recent review led by researchers at University College Cork suggests that ethanol may play several roles for the fungus. It may act as a germination signal and as a source of carbon to support the growth of the fungus.



    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1749461326000357 
    Producer/AuthorJenny Lawler
    URLhttps://theconversation.com/a-black-fungus-is-thriving-in-the-midst-of-irelands-whiskey-boom-we-need-to-know-more-about-it-290575
    PersonsStephen Jackson, Alan Dobson
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