DON’T MESS WITH THE SWA

Reynald & Sons Ltd, a whisky producer in Panama, has learned just how seriously the Scottish take their Scotch. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) recently took action against them and their director Reynald Grattagliano in the Scottish Court of Session after the company falsely advertised fourteen brands of “whisky”, including Golden Dollar, St. Edwins and Paddington, each bearing the name ‘Scottish Spirits’, in a manner that suggested the products were genuine Scotch Whisky. One of the brands was even packaged in a can! The brands were bottled by Scottish Spirits Ltd, a Panamanian company, and consisted of unaged neutral alcohol and flavorings. Once action was taken by the SWA, the company agreed not to engage in activities that might pass off a spirit as Scotch Whisky when it is not. It is the first time legal action has been taken in Scotland using the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2OO9, which now regulate the making, bottling and labeling of Scotch Whisky.