Bid made to recognise dram as unit of Scotch

Campaigners are pushing for the ‘dram’ to be officially recognised as a measurement of Scotch whisky.

What’s in a name? Campaigners bid to claim ‘dram’ measurement exclusively for Scotch whisky

The team behind the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which is held next month, has made a bid to the National Measurement Office (NMO) to reinstate the dram measurement – a unit not used in Britain for around 50 years.

The organisers claim that if butchers and greengrocers can sell produce in pounds and ounces, and beer and cider can be sold in pints despite the now common metric system, Scotch whisky should be allowed to have its own measurement.

“It seems silly that Scotland’s other iconic food and drink products like haggis and shortbread can be sold in weights other than metric, but the same rules do not apply to the most iconic of all Scotland’s products,” said Mary Hemsworth, manager of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

“The National Measurement Office appears set on the prescribed limit of 25ml and 35ml, so we feel that the only way forward is to press to have these measures officially named a dram – and a large dram – so long as they are used exclusively for the sale of Scotch whisky in Scotland.

“Whisky enthusiasts in Scotland and elsewhere feel very passionately about the word ‘dram’ and its relationship with whisky. We hope that they will join us in pressing for the dram to be legally recognised as a measurement by lending their support.”

The Spirit of Speyside will take place from 2-6 May.