How is Scotch whisky protected?

beveragesScotch Whisky is defined in UK law and protected at European Union and World Trade Organisation level as a ‘geographical indication’.

This legal protection is vitally important as it underpins Scotch Whisky’s reputation as being of the highest quality and integrity.

When your consumers pick a bottle of whisky from Scotland, they know that they will be getting the very best.

GI protection

Scotch Whisky has been granted geographical indication of origin (GI) protection in a number of key markets including:

  • China (a growing market for Scotch Whisky)
  • India
  • Thailand
  • Turkey (the first foreign product in Turkey to receive GI status)
  • Throughout the EU

Protection elsewhere

In Korea, the government has agreed to protect Scotch Whisky (and other European products) against imitators.

The 20 percent spirits import duty is also being lifted, which will make Scotch Whisky 20 percent less expensive. Complex labelling and warehousing requirements are also being removed – a huge success in one of the industry’s biggest markets.