Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of whisky distilled in England that is currently labelled as (a) English Whisky and (b) Single Malt English Whisky.
From a check of products online, it is estimated that around 20% of English whiskies are labelled as English Whisky, and around 70% are labelled as Single Malt Whisky (not all of which use the term English Whisky).
Use of the English Whisky name is increasing among English whiskies, and if the geographical indication proceeds to registration, this will bring those producers under the HMRC Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme to ensure compliance with the product specification.