SCOTCH whisky has become the first ever international product to be protected with special Geographical Indication (GI) status in Argentina.
In the South American nation, GI status is a legal label and a mark of quality or reputation which is closely tied to a geographic area.
It means that Scotch whisky products in Argentina must meet strict production standards.
The Scotch Whisky Association explains that, for a product to qualify as Scotch, it must be made from just three natural ingredients – cereals, water, and yeast – be distilled and matured in Scotland for at least three years, and bottled at a minimum alcoholic strength of 40% ABV.
Single malt Scotch whiskies must be bottled in Scotland, and distilled at a single distillery from water and malted barley without the addition of any other cereals, and by batch distillation in copper pot stills.
The UK Government said the GI status in Argentina would help “tackle counterfeit products, giving shoppers confidence they are buying an authentic product and distillers reassurance to expand their presence in a market without risk of imitation products undermining their reputation”.
It said that GI products represent around 25% of the UK’s food and drink exports and “an estimated annual value exceeding £6 billion”.
Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said: “Scotch whisky is the first foreign product to receive special protection in Argentina which is testament to not only the strength of our trade ties with Argentina, but the prestige and reach of Scotland’s world-renowned product.
“This is another win for an industry already bolstered by our deal with India which slashes whisky tariffs by half immediately and then down even further in the years to come, demonstrating our action to boost Scotland’s businesses and delivering economic growth under the Plan for Change.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray added: “There is no substitute for authentic Scotch Whisky and it’s fantastic news that collaborative work between the UK Government and Scotch Whisky Association has convinced the Argentine authorities to give our national drink – and one of our biggest exports – the protection it deserves.”
