The Scottish government wants to increase the Minimum Unit Price (MUP) of alcohol by 15 pence per unit to 65 pence: launching a consultation into the proposals this week.
Consumers are drinking less alcohol but turning to more premium options, says the Scotch Whisky Association as it releases export figures for the first half of 2023.
BrewDog Distilling Co is ‘on a mission to create a world-renowned Scottish spirits brand’: having announced a new portfolio, new distillery, and new CEO. The brand tells us how it intends to create ‘some serious tidal waves’ in the craft spirits industry.
Scotland will not pursue a ban on sales of energy drinks to children and young people, saying there is not enough evidence the policy would be successful.
Minimum unit pricing (MUP) legislation for alcohol in Scotland is associated with ‘significant reductions in alcohol-specific deaths among those from the most socio-economically deprived areas in Scotland’, suggests a study published in The Lancet.
Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been delayed. The scheme, which had been due to start in August, will not now begin until 1 March 2024. The delay is proving controversial, with many campaign groups speaking out against it. However, some drinks...
Most iconic alcohol brands have created alcohol-free versions of their flagship drinks, providing a welcome alternative for many consumers. But the Scottish government is worried that such products still serve as a branding boost for the full-strength...
Post-pandemic restocking, the return of Global Travel Retail and premiumization trends all helped global exports of Scotch whisky reach £6.2bn ($7.6bn) in 2022.
A coalition of more than 100 producers and brands active in Scotland are calling on the government to abandon plans to heavily restrict alcohol marketing in the country.
A report commissioned by Public Health Scotland indicates that the economic performance of the alcoholic drinks industry in Scotland has not been significantly impacted by the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP).
With some young adults admitting they purchase alcohol solely on pack appeal, researchers from the University of Stirling in Scotland say further studies should consider the potential of stronger regulation of alcohol packaging.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has successfully registered 'Scotch Whisky' as a certification trademark in the US - the industry’s largest global market, worth almost £800m ($982m) a year.
The amount of alcohol sold in Scotland has fallen since the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) in May 2018, according to the first analysis of off-trade alcohol sales in the first full year of MUP.
Minimum unit pricing appears to have reduced the amount of alcohol purchased by Scottish households by 7.6%, according to a study published in the BMJ this week.
The UK Supreme court has ruled that minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland can go ahead, dismissing an appeal led by the Scotch Whisky Association. After a five year journey through the courts, the Scottish government says it will now endeavor to...
Diageo has seen a 7% rise in the number of tourists visiting its 12 distillery visitor centres in Scotland, which it says highlights another boom year for Scotch whisky tourism.
Scotch whisky exports increased by £79m ($100m) in the first quarter of 2017, coming in as one of the top two UK export products by value, along with Scottish salmon.
Scotland needs a “bold approach” to tackle obesity, according to an influential group of politicians. But food industry representatives said tough regulation could present “barriers to business” for the country’s manufacturers.
The Irish Whiskey Association has launched a mentoring programme, which brings established global players together with new market entrants. This will help ensure future growth of the Irish whiskey category, says the association.
From Scotland to South Korea, and Australia to the US, our round-up of some of the new launches in the beverage aisle over the last month takes us around the globe.
Tourism organisation launches ‘Spirit of Scotland’ craft beer
The Scottish craft beer industry has the potential to capitalize on the food and drink tourism market (worth £900m / $1,192m a year to Scotland’s visitor economy), and the national tourism organization has launched a special ‘Spirit of Scotland’ craft...
Drinks companies would suffer “very significant financial implications” if the Scottish government were to implement a ‘bottle tax’ through a nationwide deposit return system on beverage containers, the head of a leading trade body has claimed.
Rising alcohol sales in Scotland has strengthened the case for introducing minimum unit pricing, according to Scotland’s public health minister Aileen Campbell.
Scotland’s plans for minimum unit pricing on alcohol could break free trade rules, says the advocate general for the European Court of Justice; but the Scottish government says it will continue to ‘vigorously make the case’ for the policy.
Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) CEO David Frost has welcomed the 'stability' that a 'No' vote will ensure after the Scottish people voted to reject independence from the rest of the UK.
Rabobank believes the short-term impact of Scottish independence on the whisky industry would be negative – affecting access to export markets, foreign exchange, taxation rates and input costs.
What is being claimed as the most northerly gin distillery on mainland Britain was commissioned last month, following the installation of a new still - christened ‘Elizabeth’ - in the custom-built distillery at Dunnet, Caithness.
TRADE BODY WANTS REASSURANCE AHEAD OF SEPT 18 INDEPENDENCE VOTE
Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) CEO David Frost warns that a lack of clarity over an independent Scotland’s currency could hit exports, supply chains, pricing and competitiveness in the multi-million dollar industry.
Retail sales of Scottish food and drink brands in the UK rose by £513m from 2007 – figures the Scottish government says will deliver clout in the upcoming independence referendum.
Coca-Cola Enterprises insists it is celebrating a 'Year of Homecoming' as its own 50th anniversary following a suggestion that it offered Scottish Nationalist Party leader Alex Salmond tacit support by letting him hail Scotland's 'spectacular...
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has launched a new fund – planned to deliver £500,000 over five years – to combat alcohol-related harm, as the number of middle-aged heavy drinkers surge, according to a new report.
Environment secretary Owen Paterson is taking the fight against fake whisky to Moscow this week in a bid to to protect Scotch whisky from counterfeits.
Canadian beverage labeling giant CCL Industries has pulled out of a deal to acquire John Watson & Co., a Scottish producer of labels for Scotch whisky and other spirits.
A Scottish-based academic has warned BeverageDaily.com that plans by the country’s legislators to introduce minimum alcohol pricing would be a ‘massive shot in the foot’ for the nation’s top global export Scotch whisky.
Alcohol Concern has warned about the ‘absurd’ effects of marketing canned Scotch whisky in the UK, following a controversial launch of such a product in the US.
Leading glass manufacturer Ardagh Glass is adding a £1.95m Regional Selective Assistance Award (RSA) from the Scottish Government to its £16m investment programme for container glass manufacturing plant at Irvine, Scotland.
