Hayman’s calls for increased gin regulations

London-based distillery Hayman’s is calling out “fake gin” as part of a new campaign urging better regulation of the category.

Hayman’s is calling for better regulation of the gin category

The Call Time on Fake Gin campaign urges tighter regulations across the gin category.

James Hayman, fifth generation in the family of distillers, said: “Since the demise of the UK gin and vodka association there is no body to govern and enforce gin regulations in the manner of categories such as Scotch whisky.

“In our view, if it says gin on the bottle, it should be gin in the bottle.”

According to EU and US spirits regulations, to qualify as gin the predominant flavour of the spirit must be juniper.

Hayman’s hopes the campaign will ensure these regulations are enforced more strongly across the industry.

Hayman added: “Recently we have started to see some distillers marketing gins that have little to no juniper character.

“Such products undermine the work that the vast majority of distillers complete and run the risk of misleading consumers by blurring boundaries between gin and other spirit drinks.”

Hayman’s is calling on those who agree that these “fake gins” present an issue for the category to sign its online manifesto to show their support.

Through the campaign, Hayman’s aims to work with other distillers to establish an industry body that can govern and enforce gin regulations in the future.

Hayman said: “My family have been distilling gin for a long time. The question of protecting gin for the future is important to us – we believe it matters to others too.

“If we can demonstrate support from consumers, bartenders, retailers and other distillers we have a far greater chance of affecting change.”