Scotch distilleries allowed to serve 10ml drams

New rules mean people visiting distilleries in Scotland’s most prolific whisky-producing region could opt for a smaller dram of just 10ml instead of the full 25ml serve.

Moray Council has decided to lower the amount of whisky distilleries can serve to visitors

After consulting Police Scotland, the new guidance was issued by Moray Council, which covers the Speyside region, and includes distillery tours, food festivals and whisky tastings.

“In Moray Speyside we have half the total number of distilleries that exist in Scotland, so it’s appropriate that we should be taking the lead on this,” commented Rhona Gunn, Moray Council’s director of economic development, infrastructure and planning.

“The guidance says that where whisky is supplied in the context of a genuine whisky tasting event, and the marketing and other information provided to customers makes it clear that sample measures will be provided, then it is unlikely that the council’s trading standards service would take the view that full measures were required.

“Police Scotland will assess the need for a licence on a case-by-case basis with a pragmatic view being adopted where appropriate.

“This applies to any tours, tutored tastings and events where alcohol is dispensed as part of the overall package.”

The amended law has been welcomed by the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which will permit drinks to be served in 10ml measures instead of 25ml.

“This guidance from Moray Council will greatly enhance the experience of visitors attending our events,” said James Campbell, of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

“The festival is a staunch advocate of responsible drinking, and we have campaigned for some time for our event providers to be allowed to serve smaller 10ml measures where it is deemed appropriate.

“We hope that the pioneering view taken by Moray Council will be mirrored by local authorities across Scotland.”