Scottish craft spirits body marks ‘new industry’

A new body has been launched to support Scotland’s emerging craft spirit industry, called the Scottish Craft Distillers Association (SCDA).

The launch of the Scottish Craft Distillers Association marks a “new industry for Scotland”

Comprised of new or emerging Scottish distillers and Scottish academics, SCDA has been formed to further the country’s involvement in the craft spirits movement and represent the interests of its craft distillers.

It was created after members of Interface Food & Drink’s Craft Distillers Common Interest Group (CIG) felt they required a body to represent their collective needs.

The CIG then formed the new association in partnership with Strathearn Distilleries and the International Centre for Brewing & Distilling.

The SCDA currently has more than 30 members, three of which are already producing spirits, while it is hoped that each month a different member of the group will start producing.

“The aim of the Scottish Craft Distillers Association is to support the growth of craft distilling in Scotland by assisting the development of member companies,” said Helen Pratt, national coordinator at Interface Food & Drink.

“Just as there has been a resurgence of interest in the craft brewing sector, there is now exponential growth in craft distilling.”

The craft distilling industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with 623 craft distilleries now operating in the US, the country which has the biggest craft distilling sector, compared to 24 in the year 2000.

“We’ve seen a changing tide in terms of consumer preference over the past five years or so, with more interest being paid to products that aren’t mass-produced,” said Tony Reeman-Clark, chairman of SCDA and founding director of Strathearn Distillery.

“By establishing the SCDA, we’re not only ensuring that this new industry flourishes but we are also providing the means to lobby for, and support, niche Scottish businesses to further their products.

Reeman-clark added that the SCDA would be lobbying for the same duty levels as craft brewers.

“As a group with an accreditation process and a central distribution facility with e-commerce support, suddenly the whole world is open to 30 new Scottish businesses,” he said.

“This could lead to export sales of over £30 million in 3 years which would otherwise not occur. This is the birth of a new industry for Scotland.”