Panama Grants Scotch Protection

Panama has agreed to protect Scotch against any imitations by registering and protecting the aqua vitae as a “geographical indication of origin” on Tuesday.

This means that for a whisky to be labelled Scotch it has to be produced in a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added; and then distilled and matured to very specific standards established by United Kingdom law.

“It is important consumers around the world can have confidence in the quality and integrity of what they are buying,” said Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association. “This welcome decision reaffirms Scotch whisky’s international reputation and means that consumers in Panama will be better protected from any [fake] whisky.”

Panama is Scotch whisky’s 20th largest export market, with over $66 million flowing through customs in 2009.  Export value is now 2.5 times greater than it was a decade ago, according the Scotch Whisky Association release.

Although perhaps best drank alone, see also Scotch cocktail recipes.