The 8th annual Whisky Distillers Fair takes place today at the Scotch Whisky Experience from 11am. Distillers attending the tasting experience include Dewar's, Tullibardine, Bowmore, Tomatin, Glenfarclaus and Bunnahabain.
As well as the passing of "nippie sweeties" to lips there will, no doubt, be some discussion among imbibers about anticipated UK government legislation in 2008 to protect the Scottish Whisky brand.
In October, the Scotch Whisky Association announced that following "detailed and positive discussions between the SWA, the UK and
Scottish Governments" new legislation would ensure "the highest levels of protection for Scotch Whisky."
Scotch Whisky accounts for exports of £2.5bn a year supporting over
65,000 jobs, according to Gavin Hewitt, Chief Executive of The Scotch
Whisky Association.
Among the proposals five categories of Scotch Whisky would be defined and it would be compulsory to use the
appropriate category name as the sales description on every bottle sold.
The categories are:
- Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
- Single Grain Scotch Whisky
- Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
- Blended Scotch Whisky
The Scotch Whisky Association is hoping that new legislation will give Scotland's distillers greater protection in the use of labelling of Scottish regional terms such as ‘Highland’, ‘Lowland’, ‘Speyside’, ‘Campbeltown’ and ‘Islay’ and put an end to labelling that appears to show a whisky coming from a Scottish distillery when in fact it did not come from that distillery at all.
The fair is at the Scotch Whisky Experience from 11am. The tasting event is available free of charge with the purchase of a normal tour ticket.
The Scotch Whisky Experience is also open on New Year's Day.