Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

SWA doubles support to projects combatting alcohol misuse

Published: 05 April, 2019

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced it will to double its support to projects that work to combat alcohol misuse to £1 million

Gin and Scotch exports hit record highs

Published: 13 February, 2019

UK gin export sales exceeded £600 million in 2018 - a new record and up 15% on the previous year, according to new figures released by HMRC.

Scotch Whisky Association takes action on alcohol misuse

Published: 17 December, 2018

Thirteen projects set up to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland have been granted awards by the Scotch Whisky Action Fund.

Scotch whisky marks today as ‘Duty Paid Day.’

Published: 27 September, 2018

Scotch whisky producers have marked today as ‘Duty Paid Day.’

SWA calls on government to continue duty freeze

Published: 10 September, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called on the UK government to support the industry at home through a continued duty freeze in the Autumn Budget.

Scotch Whisky achieves trademark certification in South Africa

Published: 06 August, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has successfully registered ‘Scotch Whisky’ as a certification trademark in South Africa.

Scotch Whisky tourism soars

Published: 01 August, 2018

Scotch Whisky tourism soared in 2017 with a record number of visitors from across the world visiting the country’s distilleries throughout the year.

SWA calls for zero tariffs on whisky making materials

Published: 29 June, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called for zero tariffs on imports of whisky making materials in the Brexit negotiations.

SWA appoints director of strategy and communication

Published: 16 May, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has appointed Gerry McFall as director of strategy and communication.

UK trade responds as EU27 approves negotiating guidelines for next phase of Brexit and transition deal

Published: 23 March, 2018

On Friday in Brussels EU leaders finally agreed to adopt negotiating guidelines for the future of EU-UK relations, paving the way for the next phase of talks to get underway, after months of wrangling over the details.

Scotch Whisky enjoys record-breaking year for exports

Published: 12 February, 2018

Scotch Whisky has enjoyed a record-breaking year for exports with both value and volume sales on the rise.

Arbikie goes against the grain with Scottish rye whisky

Published: 18 January, 2018

Scotch is one of the UK’s most formidable trademarks, with a global export presence worth £1.8 billion in the first half of 2017, according to HMRC.

Supreme Court clears path for 50p-per-unit minimum pricing in Scotland

Published: 15 November, 2017

Scotland is set to become the first country to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol after the UK Supreme Court rejected a challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Hammer to fall on Scottish minimum pricing

Published: 14 November, 2017

A landmark ruling in the long-running battle over minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland will be made on Wednesday morning (15 November) by the UK Supreme Court.

EU and UK wines and spirits chiefs launch joint Brexit proposition paper

Published: 19 October, 2017

European and UK bodies responsible for the wider wine and spirit industry have joined together to publish a joint position paper to outline their stance on Brexit.

Brexit boosts Scotch whisky tourism

Published: 08 September, 2017

Scotch whisky distilleries has posted a record 1.7 million visits during 2016 – an increase of almost 8% compared to the previous year, according to new research from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

SWA heads to Japan to insulate trade against Brexit

Published: 31 August, 2017

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) chief executive Karen Betts is this week joining the Prime Minister Theresa May and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox on a business delegation to Japan to ensure that trade opportunities aren’t scuppered by Brexit.

Guy Woodward: Alcohol - the elephant in the cellar

Published: 27 July, 2017

Throughout my time around the wine trade, one fundamental aspect of its make-up has been constantly swept under the carpet. Alcohol. I have seen members of the trade battle addiction issues; engage in drink-driving, embarrass themselves through over-indulgence. And that’s before one turns to the damage wreaked in wider society. Yet never have I heard the topic discussed at any length or in any depth; we’d sooner spend hours debating terroir and tartaric acid.

Value and volume of Scotch exports up for first time since 2011

Published: 28 April, 2017

Amid the uncertainty surrounding trade routes and tariffs thrown up by Brexit, exports of Scotch rose in both value and volume last year, rising by 4% to more than £4 billion and 4.8% to 1.2bn bottles respectively.