Whisky

Whisky: a taste of home, anywhere in the world

As rich in Scotland’s heritage as it is in its many unique varieties and flavours, Scotch whisky’s creation and craft have passed from generation to generation.

What makes it Scotch?

Unless it’s distilled and matured in Scotland in oak casks for at least three years and bottled at a minimum strength of 40% ABV, whisky isn’t Scotch. This legal protection preserves the integrity and quality of Scotch, and extends to its making, bottling, labelling and promotion. Which is why in every market worldwide, Scotch is recognised as a product which can only be produced in Scotland.

Loved across the world

More Scotch is enjoyed worldwide than American, Japanese and Irish whiskies combined. Every second, 43 bottles of Scotch whisky are shipped globally. Scotland’s five whisky regions: Speyside, the Highlands, the Lowlands, Campbeltown and Islay, are where some of the most cherished and sought-after whiskies in the world are crafted.

In 2022, Scotch whisky accounted for 77% of Scottish food and drink exports – 25% of all UK food and drink exports. Its export value for 2023 reached £5.6 billion: more than £680m on pre-pandemic figures from 2019.

Honouring tradition, challenging the norm

What makes Scotch whisky unique goes beyond the complex tastes and character created from water, cereals and yeast. True, Scotland is blessed with some of the finest water sources on Earth, as well as ideal growing conditions for high-quality malting barley. But centuries of tradition and expertise play their part, too. After all, Scotch whisky-making dates back to the 15th century. We are continuously seeing new distilleries across Scotland however. As Kirsten from The Borders Distillery says, “You have to honour time and traditions, but also try something new and have fun with it.”

Quality Assurance

With Scotch whisky crowned the world’s number one traded spirit internationally, its integrity and reputation have a steadfast guardian in the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). This body helps to ensure every drop of Scotland’s ‘liquid gold’ meets the highest standards of quality and authenticity, as well as scouring the globe for examples of fake or illicit Scotch which could threaten its reputation. 

Scotch whisky also enjoys Protected Geographical Indication status in many countries, as well as benefitting from Certification or Collective Trademarks in many other markets, including the US.

Sustainability

In 2021, the SWA set out an ambitious sustainability strategy, aimed at achieving Net Zero emissions in its members’ operations by 2040. To reach that target, with its shift to ever more renewable energy initiatives and continued responsible sourcing of raw materials, the industry signed up to four main goals: tackling climate change, water responsibility, moving to a circular economy and caring for the land. 

Modern technologies and sustainable practices mean Scotland’s distilleries are actively reducing their environmental footprint, while at the same time preserving the time-honoured artisanry that defines Scotch whisky. Institutions such as the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI), James Hutton Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), as well as many of Scotland’s top universities, are involved at all stages of the whisky sector’s supply chain, researching efficiencies and opportunities in farming, malting and distilling. Invaluable involvement also comes from the International Barley Hub, and the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.