Nonetheless, there is mounting concern in the industry because the US is by far the largest market in the world for Scotch whisky, accounting for some £2.8bn worth of sales a year.

A spokesman for the SWA told The Herald: “Are we monitoring the situation? Yes.

“But have we heard or received any direct evidence of Americans not buying Scotch whisky because of their position on the Lockerbie situation? No.

“Although, I repeat, we are watching the situation very carefully.”

Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the SWA, last month told MSPs that the decision to release Megrahi on compassionate grounds could have unintended but damaging consequences for Scottish businesses which rely on overseas sales.

Last month, Paul Walsh, chief executive of drinks giant Diageo, said: “We will see if it gains traction. I hope good Scottish produce made by good Scottish people is not impacted because of political expediency.”

Megrahi’s release and warm homecoming in Libya sparked an international uproar and has turned into one of the most abrasive issues between the UK and the US in years.

Critics have warned that Scotland’s tourism and investment from the US, as well as its export trade to the US, could be damaged.

There has also been growing chatter on the internet, urging US consumers not to purchase Scottish goods – including whisky. At the same time, the uproar over the release of the only person convicted in the Lockerbie bombing has not abated, with critics saying that the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, had brought shame on Scotland and jeopardised its relations with

the US.

Anger among critics in the UK has echoed indignation in the US from President Barack Obama and FBI director Robert Mueller, senior politicians such as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Teddy Kennedy as well as relatives of those who died on Pan Am Flight 103 when it exploded over Lockerbie in 1988, killing 270 people, including 189 Americans.

Former presidential candidate and chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee John Kerry last month said: “The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 was horrific and unforgivable.

“Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi was sentenced to life in prison for this terrorist attack and he should serve out his full sentence behind bars in a Scottish prison.

“I, along with six fellow Senators, pressed the Scottish Executive not to grant Megrahi early compassionate release. Megrahi showed no compassion to the innocent passengers and Scottish villagers who died that day; he should not receive our compassion now. Justice is ill-served by his early release.”

Other member of Kerry’s foreign relations committee have also demanded an investigation into whether a lucrative oil contract might have played a role in the release – a claim that has been denied in Scotland and Libya, as well as by the UK Government.

Nonetheless, the SWA spokesman said: “We will wait to see happens at the next meeting of the foreign relations committee.”

He went on: “John Kerry has certainly been vocal about his views on the release of Megrahi and we will see after the next meeting if anything is said regarding the whisky industry.”