English Whisky is Almost Getting its Own Seal of Approval

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at 07:00

There's almost a new whisky category in the world. The completion of the evaluation phase for English whisky as a new geographical indication is nearly finalized.

FAQ

What exactly is a geographical indication?
A geographical indication protects products which are strongly tied to their place of origin, as is the case with Champagne or Scotch.

Is the English Whisky GI mandatory?
No, producers are free to choose if they wish to use the term 'English whisky' in accordance with these new rules.

When will the geographical indication for English whisky come into effect?
It is expected that the approval will come through in 2025, following which distilleries will be able to officially use the label.

The process surrounding English whisky has been underway for some time. Distilleries in the United Kingdom aim to give their whisky its own geographical indication, much like Scotch. Despite some challenges, this is nearly in place and English whisky is on the cusp of making history.

Morag Garden, CEO of the EWG, shares that the category is currently flourishing.

‘English whisky is no longer a secret. It's a thriving category, built on quality, heritage and audaciousness.’

- Morag Garden

Protected status for English Whisky

The English Whisky Guild (EWG) has made substantial efforts over the past years to ensure the growth and enhancement of the quality of English whisky. Their endeavor has been fruitful. English whisky has become much more renowned and loved worldwide and can soon be celebrated with its own geographical indication.

The GI will precisely define English whisky. According to the proposal, the whisky must be entirely distilled and matured in England, made from British grain and English water, and aged minimally for three years in wooden barrels. There will also be a differentiation between Malt and Grain English Whisky, each with the labels single malt, single grain, or a blend, as the situation demands.

Not Without a Struggle

The implementation of the geographical indication in England hasn't exactly happened without a hitch. During the feedback round, the Scotch Whisky Association mentioned that the rules regarding single malt might create confusion in Scotland.

On the basis of this, there could be requests for changes in regulations, although the EWG doesn’t anticipate many. The precise timing of when the English GI will be formalized remains unclear.