Spirits
The US-UK spirits agreement ensures mutual protection for whiskey products. Credit: Michael Mroczek on Unsplash.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and other trade organisations in the US and UK have welcomed a new spirits agreement that ensures mutual protection of Bourbon, Tennessee, Scotch and Irish whiskies in the event that the UK leaves the EU.

This agreement replicates an Exchange of Letters from 1994 between the European Commission (EC) and the US.

SWA international director Sarah Dickson said: “This agreement is good news for Scotland’s national drink, giving Scotch Whisky continued legal recognition in our largest global market.

“This will give US consumers the confidence that after Brexit the Scotch Whisky they enjoy is distilled and matured in Scotland in accordance with UK law.”

“Scotch Whisky already enjoys legal protection in the US Federal Code, but this agreement mirrors the protection currently offered under the US-EU agreement and secures the continued recognition of all UK and US whiskies.

“This will give US consumers the confidence that after Brexit the Scotch Whisky they enjoy is distilled and matured in Scotland in accordance with UK law.”

According to SWA, the US Scotch Whisky imports were worth £922m in 2017.

US trade body Distilled Spirits Council stated that the UK is the largest single market for American whiskey exports.

In 2017, the UK’s export market for US distilled spirit reached $187m.

Distilled Spirits Council president and CEO Chris Swonger said: “Ensuring that our flagship spirits exports, Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey, will continue to be protected provides our companies much-needed assurances as the UK negotiates its departure from the EU.”