Scotch malt whiskey whisky sales ( and dedicated imbiber ) could be seriously affected by Britain ’s “ Brexit ” suffrage tomorrow . If the nation decides to pull up stakes the EU , the tone would be strip of one of its gravid advantages on the international market — its exclusive name .
Like Plymouth Gin in the U.K. and other European spirits like pastis , Cognac and calvados , malt whisky delight protection under the European Parliament’sProtected Designation of Originregulations . In exchange for strict guidelines on production , Scotch whisky distiller get the sole right to the recording label “ Scotch whisky , ” along with that phase in any compounding with words like “ style ” or “ flavored . ” Without these guard , any distiller around the world could call a product “ scotch . ”
Since the union first shortlist 41 products for international shelter in 2003 , that inclination has grown exponentially . Today , the U.K. alone has 73 good under the protect food for thought name scheme — like sure Cheddar and Stilton cheese and Cumberland sausage — but scotch is the power hitter of the group , responsible for $ 5.47 billion in annual gross and 10,000 jobs in Scotland .
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According to the Scotch Whisky Association , about a third of those sale are to other EU nations . Though Scotch whisky distillers could conceivably re - prove barter regulations , an “ out ” Brexit vote could anger European juicer , who might swap to more readily usable , continental European spirits out of spite . In that way , an “ out ” Brexit suffrage could in reality be a boon for European spirits like genever and Armagnac . According toBloomberg , global scotch manufacturer like Pernod Ricard and Diageo are pro - union , not only to uphold assignment rights , but also because the U.K. ’s exit could unknot trade deals beyond Europe like in the stentorian Amerind feel securities industry .
If Britons do vote to allow for the EU , there are alternate protective covering uncommitted to scotch producers , but none as basically conducive to the spirits trade . AsEaterpoints out , distillers could apply for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status . But without the purchasing power of the intact EU to back it up , the UNESCO designation bear more weight for tourism and cultural pride than help with actual economic protection . Even Prime MinisterDavid Cameronisn’t convinced he can negotiate new protection .
Withpolls still spliton the eve of the ballot , Brexit could go either way . After the voting , scotch producers will either be celebrating with a drachm of still licit malt whiskey whiskey or commiserating over poke of “ scotch ” from a far flung land .
