GI Successfully Granted To Scotch Whisky In Indonesia

About Scotch Whisky

Scotch Whisky is made in Scotland for more than 500 years and it has grown from a cottage industry, where farmers distilled their left over barley to prevent it going to waste, to one of the UK’s most important export industries.

Scotch Whisky is grain/ malt whisky which is made in Scotland in a manner specified by law. All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years.

It was originally made from malted barley.

Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories:

1. single malt Scotch whisky,
2. single grain Scotch whisky,
3. blended malt Scotch whisky (formerly called “vatted malt” or “pure malt”),
4. blended grain Scotch whisky, and
5. blended Scotch whisky

As per Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SWR) production, labelling, packaging, advertising of Scotch whisky should be done as per specified law.

Few provisions of Scotch Whisky Regulations are:

• 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
  • Distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8% (190 US proof)
• Wholly matured in an excise warehouse in Scotland in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres (185 US gal; 154 imp gal) for at least three years
• Retaining the colour, aroma, and taste of the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production and maturation
• Containing no added substances, other than water and plain (E150A) caramel colouring
• Comprising a minimum alcoholic strength by volume of 40% (80 US proof)

“Scotch Whisky” gets GI recognition in Indonesia

“Scotch Whisky” gets GI recognition in Indonesia, which means Indonesia has entered the club of around 100 other countries which have officially recognised Scotch as a Scottish product, produced by using traditional methods and protected under law.

“scotch whisky” is is malt or grain whisky made in Scotland. Scotch whisky must be made in a manner specified by law. Scotch can only be made from the raw materials of water, cereals and yeast and matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks.

Lindesay Low, legal deputy director of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “Scotch whisky is a truly global drink enjoyed in over 180 countries across the globe, and securing GI protection in Indonesia is another important step in delivering future success for Scotland and the UK’s most important Food and Drink export.

Scotch Whisky is a popular brand in the world and now that Indonesia has successfully gained GI rights, now consumers in the country will have more confidence in the quality and provenance. Popularity of the product has always attracted new markets

Mr Moazzam Malik (British Ambassador) said:

“Clear intellectual property protections and geographical indications will help British companies to expand their business and partnerships in Indonesia.

Alcoholic Acceptance in Indonesia

Alcoholic drinks have gained wider acceptance in Indonesia. Young generation is very much fascinated towards modernization and ready to explore alcoholic drinks.

It has been seen that they are open for drinking in a public setting, especially in on-trade channels. This phenomenon is especially prominent in larger cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung, and tourist areas such as Bali and Batam.

Benefits

New Job opportunities will be created in Indonesia with production of Scotch. Many of these jobs are in remote rural areas where there is little alternative employment. Support industries such as and agriculture will be benefited. Tourists will be attracted as their favorite Liquor brands will be easily available.

Tourism is an important sectors of Indonesia’s economy and is significant sources of revenue, foreign capital and employment.

Indonesian Beaches and scenic beauty has extensively lured tourists. The total number of foreign tourists arriving in Indonesia increased to 6.5 million in 2009 from 6.4 million in 2008.

The arrivals of tourists contributed $6.4 billion to the Indonesian economy in 2009 with an average expenditure of $129.6 per day and $995.9 per visit. In 2010 the number of tourists reached roughly 7.1 million people with an estimated $8.9 billion in local expenditures.

Bali is the most visited tourist destination in Indonesia with an average of over 11,750 visitors daily. Liquor market is expected to rise many folds as Wine and spirits importers and their distributors expect that the tourism industry will continue to expand over the next five years, leading to an increased demand for Liquor in Indonesia.

Author: Ms. Deepika Sharma, Sr. Patent Associate at Khurana & Khurana, Advocates and IP Attorneys. In case of any queries please contact/write back to us at [email protected].