NEW RULES for the WHISKY INDUSTRY

The Scotts take their whisky laws seriously and with good reason. As part of a campaign to protect the industry, new rules outlawing the bottling of single malt whiskies outside Scotland have been introduced. They are part of a number of regulations which were recently announced by Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy. The changes, which came into force on November 23, will also ban the use of the term “pure malt” and introduce improved labeling of products. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) called it landmark legislation. Speaking at a Scotland Office food and drink seminar in Edinburgh, Murphy said the regulations introduced “a stronger legal framework to protect one of our most cherished products”. He added: “It is vital that we protect our key industries. We cannot allow others to trade off our good name and to pass off inferior whisky as being produced in Scotland. These regulations will help protect whisky customers across the globe.” SWA chief executive, Gavin Hewit commended the regulations saying: “This is landmark legislation for Scotch Whisky delivering important benefits for consumers, distillers and the economy. Additional protection, including the requirement to bottle single malt Scotch whisky in Scotland, helps safeguard Scotch from unfair and deceptive practices.”