Editing Scotch whisky (section)

== Regulations and labelling ==
=== Legal definition ===
{{as of|2009|11|23}}, the [[Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009]] (SWR) define and regulate the production, labelling, packaging as well as advertising of Scotch whisky in the United Kingdom. They replace previous regulations that focused solely on production, including the [[Scotch Whisky Act 1988]].

Since the previous act focused primarily on production standards, it was repealed and superseded by the 2009 Regulations. The SWR includes broader definitions and requirements for the crafting, bottling, labelling, branding, and selling of "Scotch Whisky". International trade agreements have the effect of making some provisions of the SWR apply in various other countries as well as in the UK. The SWR defines "Scotch whisky" as whisky that:{{sfn|Scotch Whisky Regulations|2009}}{{sfn|Scotch Whisky Association|2009}}
*  Is produced at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added) all of which have been:
**  Processed at that distillery into a mash
**  Converted at that distillery to a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems
**  Fermented at that distillery only by adding yeast
*  Has been distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8% (190 [[Alcohol proof|US proof]])
*  Is wholly matured in an excise warehouse in Scotland in oak [[cask]]s of a capacity not exceeding {{convert|700|L|USgal impgal|0|lk=on}} for at least three years
*  Retains the colour, aroma, and taste of the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production and maturation
*  Contains no added substances, other than water and plain (E150A) [[Caramel color|caramel colouring]]
*  Has a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 40% (80 US proof)

The [[Scotch Whisky Association]] acts as the regulatory body that ensures that Scotch Whisky is produced in accordance with traditional practices, as well as ensuring a sustainable future for the Scotch Whisky industry by promoting sustainable production, global trade, and responsible consumption.<ref name=":1" />

=== Labelling ===
[[File:Balvenie label.jpg|thumb|Scotch whisky labels declare their composition ("Single Malt Scotch Whisky" at top), and in the example above the single distillery of manufacture (The Balvenie). An age statement ("12 years") indicates the maturation time of the youngest whisky used in a particular bottling.]]
A Scotch whisky label comprises several elements that indicate aspects of production, age, bottling, and ownership. Some of these elements are regulated by the SWR,{{sfn|MacLean|2010|p=20}} and some reflect tradition and marketing.{{sfn|MacLean|2010|p=23}} The spelling of the term ''whisky'' is often debated by journalists and consumers. [[Scottish whisky|Scottish]], [[English whisky|English]], [[Welsh whisky|Welsh]], [[Australian whisky|Australian]] and [[Canadian whisky|Canadian]] whiskies use ''whisky'', Irish whiskies use ''whiskey'', while American and other styles vary in their spelling of the term.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=22}}

The label always features a declaration of the malt or grain whiskies used. A ''single'' malt Scotch whisky is one that is entirely produced from malt in one distillery. One may also encounter the term "[[single cask]]", signifying the bottling comes entirely from one cask.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=22}} The term "blended malt" signifies that single malt whisky from different distilleries is blended in the bottle.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=23}} The [[Cardhu]] distillery also began using the term "pure malt" for the same purpose, causing a controversy in the process over clarity in labelling<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 December 2003 |title=Whisky branding deal reached |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3289181.stm |access-date=2 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tran |first=Mark |date=4 December 2003 |title=Whisky industry settles on strict malt definitions |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/dec/04/food.foodanddrink |access-date=23 March 2014}}</ref>—the [[Glenfiddich]] distillery was using the term to describe some single malt bottlings. As a result, the Scotch Whisky Association declared that a mixture of single malt whiskies must be labelled a "blended malt". The use of the former terms "vatted malt" and "pure malt" is prohibited. The term "blended malt" is still debated, as some bottlers maintain that consumers confuse the term with "blended Scotch whisky", which contains some proportion of grain whisky.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|pp=419–420}}

The brand name featured on the label is usually the same as the distillery name (for example, the [[Talisker distillery]] labels its whiskies with the Talisker name). Indeed, the SWR prohibits bottlers from using a distillery name when the whisky was not made there. A bottler's name may also be listed, sometimes independent of the distillery. In addition to requiring that Scotch whisky be distilled in Scotland, the SWR requires that it also be bottled and labelled in Scotland. Labels may also indicate the region of the distillery (for example, [[Islay whisky|Islay]] or [[Speyside single malt|Speyside]]).{{sfn|MacLean|2010|p=21}}

Alcoholic strength is expressed on the label by Alcohol By Volume (ABV) or sometimes simply "Vol".{{sfn|MacLean|2010|p=21}} Typically, bottled whisky is between 40% and 46% ABV.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=25}} Whisky is considerably stronger when first emerging from the cask—normally 60–63% ABV.{{sfn|MacLean|2010|p=21}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=25}} Water is then added to create the desired bottling strength. If the whisky is not diluted before bottling, it can be labelled as [[cask strength]].{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=25}}

A whisky's age may be listed on the bottle providing a guarantee of the youngest whisky used. An age statement on the bottle, in the form of a number, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to produce that product. A whisky with an age statement is known as guaranteed age whisky.{{sfn|Hansell|2010}} Scotch whisky without an age statement may, by law, be as young as three years old.{{sfn|Scotch Whisky Regulations|2009}} In the early 21st century, such "No age statement" whiskies have become more common, as distilleries respond to the depletion of aged stocks caused by improved sales.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dickie |first=Mure |date=9 December 2013 |title=Hopes soar for spirited revival |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d399febc-58fd-11e3-a7cb-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d399febc-58fd-11e3-a7cb-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=23 January 2014}}</ref> A label may carry a distillation date or a bottling date. Whisky does not mature once bottled, so if no age statement is provided, one may calculate the age of the whisky if both the distillation date and bottling date are given.{{sfn|MacLean|2010|p=21}}

Labels may also carry various declarations of filtration techniques or final maturation processes. A Scotch whisky labelled as "natural" or "non-chill-filtered" has not been through a filtration process during bottling that removes compounds that some consumers see as desirable. Whisky is aged in various types of casks—and often in used [[Port wine|port]] or [[sherry]] casks—during distinct portions of the maturation process, and will take on characteristics, flavour, and aromas from such casks. Special casks are sometimes used at the end of the maturation process, and such whiskies may be labelled as "wood finished", "sherry/port finished", and so on.{{sfn|MacLean|2010|p=21}}