A controversial proposal to grant protected geographical status to English single malt whisky has sparked outrage from Scotland’s whisky industry, with experts warning it could undermine centuries of Scottish whisky-making tradition.
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is considering an application that would allow English distilleries to label their products as “single malt” even when the spirit isn’t entirely produced at a single location.
The proposal would only require distillation to occur at one site, while mashing and fermentation could take place elsewhere.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has condemned the move, warning it could severely damage the reputation of single malt whisky.
An SWA spokesperson stated:
“This is entirely inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky, which is famous for its integral connection to place, and would undermine the Single Malt Scotch Whisky category.”
Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has called the proposal “wholly unacceptable,” noting that Scotch whisky exports topped £5.6bn in 2023, with the industry contributing £7.1bn annually to the UK economy.
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“Scotland’s national drink is one of our greatest exports with unbreakable ties to our culture, history and industry,” Gougeon said. “Any proposal to undermine the reputation or definition of the term Single Malt could have devastating effects on our iconic whisky industry.”
The English Whisky Guild has defended its application, stating it would allow companies to partner with local breweries and create innovative whiskies. The guild claims this approach aligns with practices in other whisky-producing regions, including the US and Wales.
Currently, England has 55 registered whisky distilleries, with 45 active, compared to Scotland’s more than 150 distilleries. A Defra spokesperson has confirmed that no final decisions have been made, stating “the application process is ongoing.”
