This year’s World Whiskies Conference concludes today (15 April) with a look at a wide scope of issues concerning the industry, including innovation, legal definitions and future growth possibilities. Here’s a snapshot of who said what today.


“According to our research, in volume terms, in 2007, the global whisk(e)y market was worth 237m cases, representing growth of 20% over the last five years.” Marlous Kuiper, Euromonitor International


“In France, the biggest blended Scotch market in the world, sales have been flat and there’s a lot of polarisation happening. Premium brands are growing, but low-end brands are pushing volume sales, as is the introduction of bigger pack sizes.” Marlous Kuiper, Euromonitor International


“Turning to the future, case sales for total spirits, which stood at 2bn in 2007, are expected to grow to 2.2bn in 2012, a 1% rise. The whisk(e)y market is forecast to grow by 4% in volume terms over the next five years, to around 286m cases in 2012.” Marlous Kuiper, Euromonitor International


“In our research, we have found that between 65% and 85% of alcohol consumed by teenagers in the US comes from adults domestically, whereas only 7% comes fom across the bar.” Peter Cressy, DISCUS


“Responsibility is good business. Credibility leads to responsibility and profitability.” Peter Cressy, DISCUS


“Contrary to some recent suggestions, I would stress that the (proposed) legislation (regarding Scotch definitions) is intended to protect and promote every category of Scotch whisky, and to benefit all sizes of producers, both large and small. The SWA does not regard any one category as being more worthy than any other. The industry should not be shy of making clear on every label what type of Scotch whisky is in the bottle.” Glen Barclay, Scotch Whisky Association


“It is perhaps not surprising that most consumers do not understand the different categories of Scotch whisky. This is, therefore, the principal reason for the proposal that categories of Scotch should be defined and that it should then be compulsory to use the appropriate category description on every Scotch whisky.” Glen Barclay, Scotch Whisky Association


“It may also be significant that two sellers of blended malts described as ‘Malt Scotch whisky’ have complained that if they have to put the description ‘Blended Malt Scotch’ whisky on their labels, they will no longer be able to charge ‘Single Malt’ prices. If consumers know the truth about the product, will they, rightly or wrongly, not pay the price?” Glen Barclay, Scotch Whisky Association


“We need to think about how liquids are packed, and not just how spirits are packed. The innovation funnel needs filling, as for every one good idea there are ten that are dropped.” Vijay Rekhi, United Spirits