SNP to ban Tour Drams?

According to the Press and Journal, our local rag, the current anti-alcohol drive by the SNP could mean

Distilleries could be barred from serving a dram to visitors at the end of tours under Scottish Government proposals to tackle alcohol abuse.

Scotch whisky bosses believe tough restrictions on promotional activities could undermine one of Scotland’s biggest earners and the tourist industry in rural areas like Speyside.

Ministers are looking at preventing licensed premises from engaging in promotional activities to encourage people to buy alcohol for consumption off the premises.

The suggestion is included in the framework to tackle alcohol abuse which has alienated the drinks industry and retail trade but won the support of doctors and anti-alcohol campaigners.

Now if, like me, you are a fan of the odd nip the thought of having had a tour of a Distillery and then not getting a taster at the end is just not playing the game. This is half the reason for being on the tour to have a wee "refreshment" at the end. I can see that going down really well with the American and Japanese tourists.

Seriously the problem of alcohol abuse will not be stopped by these sort of measures. In this country we spend 18 years learning that alcohol is illegal and all of a sudden you can have as much of it as you can drink. This breeds the binge drinking type culture.

Our problem is that we need to approach the whole use of alcohol differently and make it a part of growing up. The sensible use/introduction of alcohol to family life in the early teens and the appreciation of what it can do tends to lessen the problems from binge drinking and brings about a more relaxed and open attitude to drinking. It is no longer a "sport" on its own but a part of relaxation, to be enjoyed more for the taste rather than the effect. The banning or partial banning of a product just tends to lead to its misuse and/or criminal acts.


Drams may be banned on tours of distilleries - Press & Journal

Warm glow spreads through Scotch Whisky

Great to see the resurgence of Whisky that is going on in Scotland. This is due to the greater demand for our products in countries such as China, India and Brazil, with exports up to over 2.5bn last year setting a record high.

This is not only good news to the distillers but also good news to many of the supporting industries. Scottish Farmers are benefiting from doubled prices for Malting Barley, Coopersmiths are doing better, packaging firms are getting a slice of the increase and even CalMac are benefiting from increased demand for capacity.

In addition we also have a "Consultation" by the UK Government for tighter definitions of Scotch Whisky in UK Law. This would then lead onto possible use of the names in international trade agreements, Islay and Speyside would be in the same category as Champagne, Parma ham, Rioja and Roquefort cheese with protection from European trade law.

Scotch whisky has been defined for many years and is protected by law, but the new laws, which could be in place by spring 2008, will prevent foreign spirits using geographic areas in Scotland.

FT.com / Companies / Consumer industries - Warm glow spreads through Scotch whisky