Scotch brands ‘big enough to look after themselves’

Despite concerns for the Scotch whisky industry as the Scottish independence referendum nears, the first minister of Scotland has said distillers are “big enough to look after themselves”.

Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister, told CNN Sotch whisky distillers are “big enough to look after themselves”

Speaking to CNN, Alex Salmond, the first minister for Scotland who is campaigning for a “yes” vote in this week’s referendum, batted away criticisms that an independent Scotland would damage the Scotch whisky industry.

“Scotch whisky is going to sell on a worldwide stage, regardless of the constitutional status of Scotland,” he told the news agency. “Our great whisky companies, and it’s fantastic to have them, they’re big enough to look after themselves.

“But the smaller companies will benefit from that additional profile, that additional push of Scotland.”

Salmond told reporters earlier this month that Scotch whisky distillers would benefit from the publicity a “yes” vote would generate, and that independence would provide an “opportunity of a lifetime”.

However David Williamson, of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), told CNN that independence created “uncertainty” with regards to a “break in the continuity of Scottish membership to the EU”.

He added that while the Scottish government is proposing an embassy network of between 70 and 90, there is a “potential risk” for Scotch whisky exports because the UK government has embassies in 200 markets.

“When nine out of every 10 bottles of Scotch whisky are sold overseas international influence, trade agreements and trade negotiations – the ability to tackle trade barriers – is important.”

Earlier this month, analysts at Citi Bank said Scottish independence could have “significant implications” for Scotch whisky’s largest producers as an “unstable” Scottish currency would make the spirit “difficult to price”.

In August, leading members of the Scotch whisky industry, including the CEO of Edrington and the chairman of William Grant & Sons, signed an open letter stating that as “business case” for Scottish independence had “not been made”.