My View: We don't accept 'blended malt' is inferior term

One distiller opposes the term because he is selling a "Malt Scotch Whisky", which sometimes contains a single malt and sometimes a blend. That is, the same label appears on different products. Another has previously used "blended malt" on one of his brands. Others have suggested "blends" are somehow inferior. We don't accept that.

The regulations place the consumer at their core and take account of the whole industry: large and small distillers, blends and singles. The assertion that a single malt distillery name can appear as the brand name of a blended malt, for example, is incorrect.

The regulations offer a unique opportunity to promote all Scotch whiskies. We plan to do just that.

David Williamson is public affairs manager at the Scotch Whisky Association

• Harpers Says...