THE reputation of Scotch faces being “trashed” and made vulnerable to competition from inferior, cut-price spirits if a post-Brexit trade deal with the US weakens the definition of whisky, an industry expert has warned.


Whisky writer Fiona Rintoul also fears the economy of the Highlands and Islands could be damaged if the quality of whisky is allowed to be compromised as part of any deal, and questioned the UK Government’s ability to protect Scotland’s interests.


The comments come as Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown called on the UK Government to protect the industry, which supports some 20,000 Scottish jobs and is worth around £4 billion to the economy in exports alone.


The US made clear during Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership discussions it favours a relaxation in the definition of whisky, potentially opening the market to products that don’t meet current standards. Under European Union rules, whisky must be matured for at least three years. 


Last week, US President Donald Trump talked up the prospects of a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK, saying it would be “very big and exciting”. 
But Ms Rintoul, a financial journalist whose recent book Whisky Island highlights the positive impact of Scotch on Islay and its people, described the idea of allowing any deal to weaken the definition of whisky as “demented”.


She said: “Changing the definition of whisky doesn’t just have the potential to trash whisky’s international reputation, it could also make Scottish blends vulnerable to competition from cut-price inferior spirits. 
“Such a move would also go against the direction of travel in the Scotch whisky industry, which is towards high-quality specialist whiskies. The current whisky renaissance, which is supporting profits at companies as diverse as drinks giant Diageo and Islay farm distillery Kilchoman, is based on consumers drinking better whiskies, not worse ones. 


“This has allowed existing distilleries to thrive and new ones to open, for example at Clydeside and on Harris. 


“Scotch whisky’s worldwide reputation is based on its exceptional quality, and anything that compromises that must be resisted at all costs. Without the quality controls you just have Scottish schnapps made from barley. Who wants to drink that – or visit the distillery where it’s made?”
Islay’s biggest private employer is the Bruichladdich distillery, while farming is boosted by growing barley to make the spirit.


Glasgow-based Ms Rintoul added the UK’s approach to protection of its products compared unfavourably with that of France.


 “Can you imagine the French government negotiating away the status of Champagne or Cognac? It is inconceivable,” she said. “We hear constantly the Brexit negotiating team is trying to secure the best possible deal for all of the UK, but there’s very little evidence this is the case.”


Mr Brown is seeking clarification on whether Scotch whisky featured in discussions held in the US last week during a visit by UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox.


He said: “I am also demanding the EU regulations are guaranteed post-Brexit. After reports this week that the UK Government is contemplating trade deals that threaten Scottish produce, once again we can see the confusion at the heart of the UK Government’s Brexit position.”


Such confusion was highlighted during the US talks when a spat broke out between Mr Fox and Environment Secretary Michael Gove over whether chlorine-washed chickens should be allowed to be imported to the UK as part of any deal.


Rosemary Gallagher, of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), said the body was against any weakening of the definition of whisky and called for “robust” legal protection of the industry in EU and global markets following Brexit.


The UK Government said it had a strong relationship with the SWA and was “working closely with the industry”. She added: “Scotch is a UK export success story and we will support the industry so that it continues to thrive and prosper post-Brexit.”