THE UK Government is facing calls to protect the Scottish single malt whisky category in light of plans for a definition change of English single malt whisky.
Currently, single malts must be made in one single distillery, but now new rules would mean English whisky could be made in several different locations – drastically cutting costs for whisky distillers there.
The English Whisky Guild’s application requests the recognition of a category of English Single Malt which has not been mashed, fermented, distilled and matured in only one single distillery.
This would alter the traditional definition of what it means for whisky to be classified as single malt and has sparked fears of the market being flooded with cheap, low-quality products, ruining the reputation of “single malt” whisky.
Now, LibDems MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Jamie Stone has tabled a parliamentary motion calling for the protection of the Scottish Single Malt Whisky category.
“Having been brought up on a small farm right next door to the great Glenmorangie distillery in Tain, this issue is rather personal," Stone said.
He added: “For all my life, the fame and status of a Scottish Single Malt Whisky has brought pride to Scotland, revenue to the UK and high-quality jobs to remote parts of the Highlands.
“The English Whisky Guild’s Geographical Indication threatens all of this. Of course, a market for English Whisky exists - but this market should not encroach on the famous Scotch Single Malt.
“I will not stand by idly whilst our reputation and brand - which has taken centuries to cultivate - is co-opted by English manufacturers. I will do my utmost to protect and preserve it at all costs."
Stone (above) asked: “Could you imagine Champagne producers in France allowing us to grow a fizzy wine in Scotland and then stick the Champagne label on it? I think not.
“Let us Scots take note from the French and stand up for what is rightly ours.”
It comes as SNP MP Graham Leadbitter asked the Prime Minister whether the UK Government will scrap plans for the definition change.
Leadbitter said at PMQs: "Last week the UK government unveiled damaging plans to grant a different definition of single malt to English producers to that of Scottish single malts.
"This is entirely inconsistent with the global reputation of the quality of single malts and seeks to tear up a well established definition of what a single malt is pulling the rug yet further from underneath the Scotch whisky industry.
"Given the backlash from the industry to this and the damage this could cause the Scotch whisky exports and jobs, will the Prime Minister's word on whisky be a whisky bond by backing the industry to the hilt and scrapping these plans?"
Keir Starmer responded, telling MPs he does support Scotch whisky, as "it's a really important part of our economy".
He added: "That's why we allocated £5 million in the Budget and why we're working with Brazil, which is worth £25 million for Scotch whisky."
Research by the Scotch Whisky Association reveals that global export figures show the value of Scotch exports topped £5.6bn in 2023, by exporting 1.35bn 70cl bottles of Scotch Whisky, equating to 43 per second. This makes Scotch whisky one of the UK’s greatest exports by value, with a renowned reputation worldwide.
The reputation comes from the unique production process which includes mashing, fermenting, distilling and maturing malted barley grain in a single distillery.
