The SWA Responds

Dear Kevin,

Many thanks for your comments on the new Code of Practice.

I am also pleased to see that the consultation on the definitions and labeling proposals has prompted debate on your site.   As you say, the consultation runs until the end of August and we welcome all contributions.   While much of the focus so far has been on the choice of the term ‘Blended Malt Scotch Whisky’, the proposals are wide ranging and cover a number of areas.

Briefly, these are:

• It would be compulsory to use the appropriate category description, e.g. ‘Single Malt Scotch Whisky’, as the sales description on every Scotch Whisky.   The description would have to appear prominently on labels to ensure that it is clear to consumers what the product is.
• Added protection is being proposed for traditional regional names, namely Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Campbeltown and Islay.
• The description ‘pure malt’, in that combination, would be prohibited.
• A distillery name should not be used on any Scotch Whisky which has not been wholly distilled in the named distillery.
• A proposal to stop Single Malt Scotch Whiskies being sold under labels which mislead as to where the Single Malt was distilled.

As a package, the objective is to introduce clear and consistent rules to prevent consumer confusion or deception, as well as to give added protection to Scotch Whisky from illegal traders

Best regards,

David Williamson
Public Affairs Manager
The Scotch Whisky Association

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Thank you, David.

A side note: Notice that David makes no mention of "The Islands" as a region. I don't consider the Islands to be a region, so I'm glad to see this.

There are no similar characteristics to point to amongst them (aside from being surrounded by water) either by taste, style or geography. In my book they are Highland whiskies.

While we are talking opinions- I don't consider Campbeltown to be a distinct region (anymore). Whilst once a thriving whisky production area, two distilleries does not a region make.