STORY
English whisky has been awarded protected Geographical Indication status, legally recognising it as a distinct category of spirit. The designation restricts use of the name to products meeting an agreed specification and is intended to protect legitimate producers from imitation. The Government announced the decision on 11 September.
More than 70 distilleries are now producing whisky in England, compared with 46 in 2023, while English whisky is exported to more than 30 countries. Industry estimates suggest that maturing stocks held in English casks are worth approximately £1 billion. Producers wishing to use the protected name must be verified through HMRC’s Spirit Drink Verification Scheme.
The application was submitted by the English Whisky Guild following several years of development and consultation. Previous proposals generated disagreement with the Scotch Whisky Association over production rules and the use of descriptions such as single malt. The final designation does not suggest that English and Scotch whisky are made to identical specifications, but gives each category separate legal protection.