CARDHU SAGA LEADS TO CATEGORY RETHINK

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Stuart Peskett

With the Cardhu saga apparently over, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is keen to lay down strict definitions of the whisky categories. At a landmark SWA council meeting last Thursday, Cardhu's owner, Diageo, agreed to make changes to the packaging of Cardhu vatted malt and, crucially, promised not to reformulate its other single malts in this way. Diageo's proposals were accepted, and all sides appear happy. Diageo spokesman Peter Smith said: We have, for a long while, called for more precise classifications so that consumers are clear on what they are getting.' A SWA spokesman said: The council reached an agreement that we urgently need to clarify the different definitions, with a special focus on single malts. This is a top priority.' Smith, who said that Cardhu's new packaging wouldn't come into effect until the spring, added that the company was delighted with the outcome: We can now draw a line under this and move on. We have made significant changes to the packaging and we've said all along that we wanted to resolve this through the SWA. We've listened to the grievances against us and we went to the meeting with a set of proposals which the council has now recommended.'

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