As of the 23rd November the long hard fought battle to protect the Scotch whisky industry from imitations comes into force.
A number of foreign producers have long been using names and visuals in their marketing and promotional material to suggest that the product is Scotch whisky. This not only damages the reputation of Scotch whisky it confuses the consumer and potentially deprives them from experiencing the best whisky in the world.
As of the 23rd a number of key provisions come into force:
- Five categories of Scotch Whisky are defined for the first time; Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.
- These compulsory category sales terms will be required to appear clearly and prominently on all labels.
- A requirement to only bottle Single Malt Scotch Whisky in Scotland.
- New rules to prevent the misleading labelling and marketing of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.
- A ban on the use of the term ‘Pure Malt’.
- A ban on the use of a distillery name as a brand name on any Scotch Whisky which has
- not been wholly distilled in the named distillery.
- Protection of five traditional whisky regions of production; Highland, Lowland, Speyside,
- Islay, and Campbeltown.
- A requirement that Scotch Whisky must be wholly matured in Scotland.
- Clear rules on the use of age statements on packaging.
- Designation of HM Customs & Excise as the verification authority for Scotch Whisky.
