Close Menu
News

Indonesia registers GI for Scotch whisky

Scotch whisky has been registered as a geographical indication (GI) product in Indonesia, said to be “another important milestone” for the category.

Scotch whisky’s GI has been registered in Indonesia

According to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), the registration “greatly enhances the basic protection” of Scotch in Indonesia, which previously did not have a legal definition for the category.

The GI means products identified as ‘Scotch whisky’ can only be distilled in Scotland using cereals, water and yeast, and must be aged in Scotland using oak casks for at least three years.

Scotch whisky’s GI is now registered in more than 100 countries.

Lindesay Low, legal deputy director of the SWA, said Indonesia’s recognition of Scotch as a GI spirit is “another important step in delivering future success for Scotland and the UK’s most important food and drink export”.

He added: “Gaining increased protection for Scotch whisky is fundamental to ensuring that consumers have confidence in the quality, provenance and history of what they are buying.

“Our successful application to register ‘Scotch whisky’ as a GI in Indonesia gives the industry a much greater level of legal protection and represents another important milestone for Scotch whisky as its popularity continues to rise in new and diverse markets.”

Moazzam Malik, British ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor Leste, added: “Indonesia is a rapidly developing G20 economy, the largest in Southeast Asia.

“Clear intellectual property protections and geographical indications will help British companies to expand their business and partnerships in Indonesia.”

This year, Scotch whisky also gained legal protection in South Africa and New Zealand.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No