SCOTLAND TOASTS SOARING WHISKY EXPORTS

SCOTCH WHISKY exports have almost doubled in the past 1O years, according to new analysis of HM Revenue & Customs figures by the Scottish government.  The figures show that the value of Scotch exports increased by 87% from £2.3 billion (US $3.78 billion) in 2OO3 to £4.3 billion (US $7.1 billion) in 2O12.  Volume sales were up by 32% over the same period.  Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s food and drink minister, said: “Scotch whisky is one of our most iconic products and these figures demonstrate the huge global demand for whisky.  We export to 173 countries, from the US – which has more than doubled its spend on our national drink – Brazil and China, to Bermuda, Papua New Guinea and the Vatican.”  The top five export nations by value are the US, France, Singapore, Spain, and Germany.