English Whisky has gained Geographical Indication protection, restricting the name to whisky made in England. Its single-malt rules allow mashing and fermentation at a different site, unlike Scotch rules, a difference opposed by the Scotch Whisky Association.
The English Whisky Guild said the status provides legal protection, greater confidence and clarity for consumers, and support for UK agriculture. The sector has grown from one distillery in Roudham, Norfolk, to 70 and counting in about 20 years.
The Scotch Whisky Association argued that allowing mashing and fermentation away from the distillery could damage single malt’s integrity and Scotch whisky’s reputation. English whisky may mature in wood other than oak and be bottled outside England, while its grain must be UK-grown; Scotch must be oak-matured and bottled in Scotland but may use imported grain. English Distillery owner Andrew Nelstrop said the rules need to differ and that protection prevents cheap imports being sold as English whisky.
