Scottish Distillery Urges Government to Extend Same Protected Status to Country’s Gin as its Whisky
The founder of Scotland’s Gin Bothy Distillery calls for the country’s gin to have the same protected status as its whisky. (Photo: Gin Bothy)
In a move to protect the authenticity of Scottish gin and prevent potential misuse of the “Scottish gin” label, Kim Cameron, owner of Angus-based Gin Bothy, is leading a campaign for geographical indication (GI) protection similar to that granted to Scottish whisky.
Currently, Scottish gin lacks the protection enjoyed by its whisky counterpart under U.K. and E.U. GI laws. Advocating for this safeguard from both the U.K. and Scottish governments, Cameron highlighted the risk of indiscriminate labeling diluting the essence of Scottish gin products.
“There are so many talented gin producers in Scotland but it’s crucial that our work isn’t diluted by brands who are using the Scottish name to enhance their marketing,” Cameron said, according to The Courier.
“At the Gin Bothy we pride ourselves on our fruit being hand-picked in Scotland. Our original gin that will be handed out to the top 25 Oscar nominees is made from Scottish heather, Scots pine and rosemary.”
“It’s a real taste of Scotland in a bottle and that’s how it should be,” she added.
Gin Bothy, celebrating its tenth anniversary, is known for its diverse gin offerings and has gained international acclaim. This call to action comes following Gin Bothy’s being selected for inclusion in the opulent $125,000 Oscars gift bags.
(Photo: Gin Bothy)
The request for protected status also aligns with the impressive combined sales of gin and whisky, which reached a notable £9.4 billion in 2023, reflecting a remarkable 13% growth, according to Trade Financial Global reporting.
Cameron further stressed the economic significance of gin, urging the strengthening of protective measures for the industry.
“The danger, with the lack of protection currently in place for Scottish gin, is anyone can stick a label on their gin and claim to be Scottish,” Cameron continued, per The Courier. “A lot of producers or companies would see the benefit of trading off the back of the popularity of Scotland as a brand.”
“Brand Scotland is a real asset to our trading capabilities and gin plays a big role in that. Gin is worth a lot of money to our economy and it’s important to tighten up the protection of our brands.”
In discussions with political figures in Holyrood, Westminster and the House of Lords, Cameron, as part of the Scottish Rural Leadership Programme, seeks support to fortify the Scottish gin sector. The campaign underscores the necessity of maintaining the integrity of “Brand Scotland” and establishing a robust framework that nurtures the growth of the Scottish gin industry while preserving its distinctive identity.
“This isn’t something that will happen overnight but, in my role on the Scottish Rural Leadership Programme, it’s important to engage with people who can make a significant difference to the growth of the gin industry,” Cameron said.
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