THE Scotch whisky industry and the First Minister have slammed the UK Government after it unveiled plans for a legal definition of English single malt whisky.
Currently, single malts must be made in one single distillery, but now it has been reported that new rules would mean English whisky could be made in several different locations – drastically cutting costs for whisky distillers there.
This has sparked fears of the market being flooded with cheap, low-quality products, ruining the reputation of “single malt” whisky.
The Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Government insiders claim the plans could undermine the £5.4billion whisky industry in Scotland.
A spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association said: “This is entirely inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky, which is famous for its integral connection to place, and would undermine the Single Malt Scotch Whisky category.
“It would be very damaging for the reputation of single malt whisky from the UK, and by extension Single Malt Scotch Whisky, if English whiskies were allowed to describe spirit as ‘Single Malt’ despite being produced in a different manner to the established process and long-standing traditions of the Scotch whisky industry.”
This fresh attack comes after whisky duty was raised again in the Chancellor’s Budget, piling extra costs on to Scottish distilleries despite the Labour Prime Minister’s own pre-election promise to back the industry "to the hilt".
A UK Government spokesperson said:: “No decisions have been made on whether to recognise English whisky as a Geographical Indication (GI) - the application process is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, First Minister John Swinney said today that the Scottish Government "will make all necessary representations on this issue to protect the identity and the character of Scotch whisky".
The Scottish Minister for Business Richard Lochhead reacted to the news, and said Scotland "can’t allow our globally successful and iconic Scotch be undermined in this way".
Now, Graham Leadbitter MP (below), whose Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency is home to Speyside Malts and one-third of Scotland’s whisky distilleries, has lashed out and demanded the plans are reversed.
The SNP MP, who serves as vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Scotch whisky, said: "This is an act of sabotage and is yet another blatant attack on one of Scotland's key industries by a Labour Government that simply doesn't care.
"These plans pull the rug from beneath the crown jewel in Scotland's exports and completely undermines our world class Scotch whisky sector – Sir Keir Starmer must end these damaging plans now.
"Not content with hammering Scotch whisky with higher taxes, this fresh attack shows the complete disregard Westminster has for Scotland's industries and is a kick in the teeth to distilleries and workers right across our country.
“We’re fortunate in Scotland to be home to the finest whisky brands in the world. We recognise the economic benefits and soft power that comes with that, the rest of the world recognises it, it’s time now for Westminster to recognise it too and put these ludicrous plans to bed.”
