Overview

• The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is considering granting protected geographic status to English single malt whisky.
• The proposed definition allows for English single malt to be made from UK grain and distilled at a single English location, without requiring the use of malted barley at the same site.
• The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) argues this definition undermines the tradition and reputation of single malt whisky, which is closely tied to its place of origin and production methods.
• Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, plans to raise concerns with Westminster, emphasizing the economic and cultural importance of Scotch whisky, which employs 20,000 people and generates £5.4 billion in exports annually.
• Defra has stated that no final decision has been made on the application, and the process remains ongoing.