Scotch Whisky Association

Scotch Whisky Association announces Karen Betts as chief executive

2 Mar 2017

The Scotch Whisky Association has confirmed the appointment of a former UK ambassador as its new chief executive.

Scotch Whisky Association urges MEPs to support EU-Canada trade deal

14 Feb 2017

The Scotch Whisky Association has called on Members of the European Parliament to vote in favour of a trade agreement between the European Union and Canada.

Scotch Whisky Association partners Scottish Craft Distillers Association to promote Scotch

9 Feb 2017

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has said it will work with the Scottish Craft Distillers Association (SCDA) to support the broader Scotch whisky industry. 

What's coming up in spirits in 2017? - Predictions for the Year Ahead - Comment

1 Feb 2017

Rounding off our series of predictions for the year ahead, Ian Buxton gives us his forecasts for whisk(e)y in the next 12 months.

The spirits category in 2016 - just-drinks' Review of the Year, Part II

23 Dec 2016

With 2016 drawing to a close, just-drinks looks back at the stories that have made the headlines across the global drinks industry. Here, deputy editor Lucy Britner picks out the highs and lows for the spirits category.

Scotch Whisky Association seeks quick Minimum Unit Pricing appeal after court grants permission

22 Dec 2016

The Scotch Whisky Association has said it is hoping for a final ruling on Scotland's Minimum Unit Pricing legislation next year, after it was granted permission to appeal to the UK's highest court.

Scotch Whisky Association partners Brazil's cachaca body

12 Dec 2016

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and the Brazilian Institute of Cachaca (IBRAC) have signed an agreement to protect their respective categories. 

Scotch Whisky Association to appeal minimum unit pricing verdict

18 Nov 2016

The Scotch Whisky Association is to take its battle over minimum unit pricing out of Scotland with an appeal to the UK's highest court.

Scotch Whisky Association head David Frost to leave for foreign office role

25 Oct 2016

The chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, David Frost, is stepping down to become an advisor to UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

SWA considers appeal after Scottish minimum-pricing setback

21 Oct 2016

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has said it may appeal to the UK's highest court after Scotland’s justice system delivered a major blow to its efforts against minimum pricing.

What have we learned from Scotch whisky's performance in 2016? - Comment

4 Oct 2016

This month, spirits commentator Ian Buxton ponders the conclusions bandied about following the publication of Scotch whisky export numbers for the first six months of 2016.

SWA wins Scotch trademark protection in Taiwan

27 Sep 2016

Taiwan has joined the list of high-value markets where Scotch is registered as a trademark.

Scotch whisky H1 exports rediscover volumes growth but value still down

16 Sep 2016

Scotch whisky exports grew six-month volumes for the first time in three years, new figures show, but sales remained down as key markets Taiwan and France underperformed.

India alcohol standards "good for consumers" - Scotch Whisky Association

16 Sep 2016

The Scotch Whisky Association has welcomed new draught regulations in India that bring authorities one step closer to having clear definitions for alcohol categories.

Brexit threatens Scotch whisky tariffs - SWA

3 Aug 2016

The Scotch Whisky Association has warned of major uncertainty ahead as Brexit puts the UK's tariff-free access to important global markets including South Korea and South Africa at risk.

The UK Referendum - just-drinks Live Blog

24 Jun 2016

Yesterday, the UK voted to leave the European Union. The result of the referendum fell 52% in favour of the so-called 'Brexit'. We'll keep you up to date throughout the day on drinks industry reaction.

The Scotch whisky category today - An introduction - Scotch Whisky Essentials, Part I

24 May 2016

just-drinks, in association with The IWSR, presents this seven-part review of the Scotch whisky category. In part one, we look at how the sector has performed in recent years.

InchDairnie Distillery and Fife's quiet Scotch whisky revolution - Comment

18 May 2016

Tucked in to a trading estate in the Scottish county of Fife, beside a local dry cleaning firm and a rubber moulding factory, InchDairnie Distillery is an unusual spot for a whisky revolution.

Scotch whisky exports drop again - figures

17 May 2016

Scotch whisky exports continued to lose volumes and value last year as producers faced further global economic headwinds, new figures have shown.

Diageo attacks 'Brexit' as Scotch Whisky Association caught in leaked email row

9 May 2016

The head of Diageo has warned against the UK leaving the EU, saying a so-called Brexit could jeopardise the industry's global bargaining clout. 

UK Scotch whisky volumes up 2% - figures

2 Mar 2016

Scotch whisky sales in the UK returned to growth in volume terms last year but remained far below historical highs.

"I find it hard to forgive and forget" - Interview, Renegade Spirits' Mark Reynier

23 Feb 2016

It is late afternoon on what has been a long day. But, Mark Reynier, formerly the head of Bruichladdich and now founder of Renegade Spirits, still has the energy to vent his grievances over the Irish whiskey industry he has inhabited for just over a year.

Scotch whisky wins Mozambique geographical indication status

19 Feb 2016

Scotch whisky has secured geographical indication (GI) status in Mozambique as the category continues to chase protection against fakes in Africa.

Drinks industry backs EU tax talks with Colombia

13 Jan 2016

The drinks trade has welcomed a European Union request that would see the World Trade Organisation tackle Colombia over what is perceived as being unfair taxation.

Something for everyone in EU's minimum unit pricing decision - Comment

23 Dec 2015

The expectation was that the long-awaited European Court of Justice ruling on minimum unit pricing would finally determine whether the practice is legal in the EU.

Scotch Whisky Association comes to London

4 Dec 2015

The Scotch Whisky Association has opened a London office in a bid to be closer to decision makers.

This week in spirits & wine, featuring Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam and Penaflor

6 Nov 2015

Here's a round-up of this week's top stories in the spirits & wine categories. We also have similar round-ups for beer & cider and soft drinks & water.

Scotch whisky stems export declines in first half - figures

5 Nov 2015

Scotch whisky sales fell again in the first half of the year but declines were slower than last year as key markets the US and Singapore stemmed losses.

Scotch whisky sees sales turn corner - SWA head

1 Oct 2015

The head of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has said a recent downturn in Scotch exports is over, with anecdotal evidence pointing to a return to growth.

What have craft spirits ever done for us? - Comment

22 Sep 2015

Much has been made of the effect that the rise of the craft spirits segment has had on the broader spirits category. Ian Buxton, however, believes that effect isn't quite as powerful as some have previously feared.