Latest News from the whisky industry - Scottish Whisky Association - Thursday 3rd September 2009
Scottish Legislative Programme - SWA Response
In response to publication of the Scottish Government’s legislative programme today, which includes plans to introduce minimum pricing of alcohol, The Scotch Whisky Association said: “We support a firm line on alcohol misuse but Government claims that minimum prices will not damage Scotch are wrong and worryingly blind to the long-term harmful consequences for Scotch Whisky sales globally.
"Minimum prices will hurt Scottish distillers at home and overseas. Government figures show little evidence that this measure will tackle alcohol misuse, begging the question how high the price of alcohol will have to be increased by Government, and penalising the majority in order to discourage the minority that drink excessively.
"To introduce a minimum price trade barrier requires Scotland to opt-out of international trade rules. Such an exemption can only be justified in very limited circumstances and no Government has advanced such a claim, even in relation to tobacco. The negative message the Scottish Government is sending out about Scotch is deeply concerning.
"If successfully introduced, the Scottish Government will give the green light to countries, already keen to protect local markets, to bring in spurious health-based trade barriers against Scotch, damaging exports and the wider economy.
"Our frustration is heightened because we welcome the vast majority of the alcohol strategy and believe it could have sent out a more positive message internationally if taken forward in partnership."
<< Back to all the latest whisky news brought to you by Planet Whiskies
Distillery of the Month: September 2024
Tomintoul Distillery Tour
Planet Whiskies had a fantastic trip up to the Speyside Whisky region of Scotland in February 2024 to visit Angus Dundee Distillers Tomintoul Distillery within the Cairngorms National Park. Then, after the distillery tour and tasting, which was hosted by Iain Forteath, the master blender of Tomintoul, our press group travelled and stayed the night at the recently bought country home of Tomintoul House in the Aultmore Estate (previously called Aultmore House). Planet Whiskies has made the Tomintoul Distillery, Distillery of the Month for both March/April 2024. Read more Planet Whiskies Tomintoul Distillery Tour
Distillery of the Month: February 2024
Bushmills Distillery Tour
Planet Whiskies visited the new Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland on the 25th and 26th of September. Read our review of the experience of Bushmills and Northern Ireland at Planet Whiskies tour of Bushmills and Northern Ireland
You can also read the whole section about Bushmills Distillery at Bushmills Distillery Information on Planet Whiskies... So Bushmills was Planet Whiskies Distillery of the Month title for January/February 2024
Drams Delivered To Your Door
Drams Delivered To Your Door - The World’s Biggest Whisky Club Drops New Monthly Subscription Service
Whisky enthusiasts can now take their passion to the next level and have exceptional cask strength single malt whiskies delivered to their doors every month thanks to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's new 'Drop & Dram' subscription service.
Click for more details
Whisky Tasting Sets
Advertisement
Stay Connected
Get Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest news, popular news and exclusive updates.
Latest Whisky News
Advertisement
Find out more about Scottish Distillery
Planet Whiskies Distillery Tours
Master Distillers Q&A
-
Keith Law: Master Distiller of Diageo
There are now two special pages on this website all about the views of Keith Law, the Master Distiller at Diageo. First page is about Blended Whisky and Food and the second page is a question and answer session relating to Keith's past experiences.... VIEW ANSWERS