Scotch and Scotland

[cowdery]

New Scottish regulations aimed at protecting Scotch whisky will come into force later this month. Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy announced the regulations, which will require single malts to be bottled in Scotland. At the same time, the Scottish government is also considering minimum pricing standards for all alcohol as a way to combat alcohol abuse, on the misguided theory that buyers of cheap alcohol are more prone to abusing it.

How important is scotch to Scotland's economy? It represents fully 20% of all export income.

Under the new rules, whiskies must carry a category description, such as "blended Scotch whisky." Use of the term "pure malt" will be banned, to prevent this description from being applied to blended whiskies in an attempt to make them appear superior to single malts.

There will also be new protection for the traditional regional names associated with Scotch whisky, and clear rules on statements about the age of the whisky.

The Scots want to get their own house in order before they take on India and other countries that make imitation scotch.

[Vange]

One that I always had an issue which is formerly known "pure malt" or "vatted malt" is now "Blended Malt Scotch Whisky" which is insanely confusing. Maybe the'll fix it.

[MarkEdwards]

At the same time, the Scottish government is also considering minimum pricing standards for all alcohol as a way to combat alcohol abuse, on the misguided theory that buyers of cheap alcohol are more prone to abusing it.

Holy cow! There aren't already enough price props in place on scotch whisky as it is?

[Jono]

I am surprised they can do anything without EU / Brussels approval first...

On a similar matter

http://inebrio.com/thescotchblog/?p=379

"New EU Whisky Law

Today (June 19th), The Scotch Whisky Association announced that the European Parliament voted and approved clearer EU rules on whisky production, which includes improved protection for Scotch Whisky..."

It gets pretty muddy on what individual nations can and can't do over there....the relationship between Scotland and the UK and then the EU is pretty difficult to figure out.

[ILLfarmboy]

One that I always had an issue which is formerly known "pure malt" or "vatted malt" is now "Blended Malt Scotch Whisky" which is insanely confusing. Maybe the'll fix it.

I agree.

It seems like the SWA had it in for vattings of all malt. Though I don't drink much Scotch, that just stuck in my craw. (JW Green is a favorite of mine)

Calling a vatting of single malts "blended"---anything makes it sound like it is not an amalgam of "straight" whiskeys.

[AVB]

Vatted was (and still is) the correct term for what....80 years or so. If they want to educate the public then use what is already the correct term and teach them that. Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a bastard term.

[cowdery]

Most commentators have raised that same objection. The scotch people aren't happy about it. They don't think the word "blend" should be associated with an all-malt product. Perhaps they should use "mariage."

[ebo]

Will the minimum price thing affect U.S. pricing? Scotch costs enough here as it is.

[cowdery]

Will the minimum price thing affect U.S. pricing? Scotch costs enough here as it is.

[mier]

I am surprised they can do anything without EU / Brussels approval first...

Well Jono,no doubt it will be a compromise as all other EU-crap we`re getting here:banghead: .

Eric.

[mier]

Will the minimum price thing affect U.S. pricing? Scotch costs enough here as it is.

Just to assure you the price stays at least the same,it won`t get cheaper.Since the eurodollar is worth almost US$1.45 the price of bourbon and other US whiskies stayed the same or saw a light rise.A bottle of Beam costed me 17 eurodollar and though the euro rose(the US$ gets cheaper)we still pay the same price overhere.Hard to understand but with the oilprice it is the same.

Eric.

[MJL]

:hot: Raising retail prices would clearly send many folks looking for alternatives to Scotch. In fact, at around $30 a bottle for one of the big three Glens, one could have a pretty damned complex Canadian Whiskey, Rum, or dare I say it....Bourbon. I know I have been reading that the Scotch folks are upset about the low retail price of their single malts but I just do not see it that way. It takes just as much effort to make Bourbon and perhaps, just perhaps, there are more expensive ingredients in Bourbon (like a brand new barrel) than it does to make Scotch. I like Scotch. I like it alot, but I have to say they are pricing me out of their use. Personally, I could care less what they do about their brands, how they call it or what they call it. On the other hand, bitching about raising retail pricing in a DEEP recession sends myself, as the consumer, looking for alternatives.:hot:

[ratcheer]

Personally, I like the new rules. And, to me, they are not confusing at all.

Tim

[Megawatt]

:hot: Raising retail prices would clearly send many folks looking for alternatives to Scotch. In fact, at around $30 a bottle for one of the big three Glens, one could have a pretty damned complex Canadian Whiskey, Rum, or dare I say it....Bourbon.:hot:

[MJL]

Just be glad you're not paying $45 for a bottle of Glenfiddich 12. Scotch prices have been skyrocketing around here. The other week Lagavulin Distillers Edition jumped from $115 to $135, just like that.

[loose proton]

Prices are rising in some of the other markets, as well. The tequila fans can moan about that for hours.

[Megawatt]

Prices are rising in some of the other markets, as well. The tequila fans can moan about that for hours.