Scotch Whisky Association

Scotch Whisky Association
Abbreviation SWA
Formation April 1942
Legal status Non-profit organisation (limited liability company registered in Edinburgh)
Purpose Promoting the Scotch whisky industry
Location
  • Quartermile 2
    2 Lister Square
    Edinburgh
    EH3 9GL
    United Kingdom
Region served
Worldwide
Membership
57 Scotch whisky producers
Chief Executive
 Karen Betts
Main organ
 SWA Council
Website SWA

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is a trade organisation that represents the Scotch whisky industry. The Scotch whisky industry is an important part of the Scottish economy, and particularly the Scottish export market.

Structure

The main office of the SWA is based in the Lauriston area of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Membership

Members include:[1]

Of these, Diageo and Chivas Brothers are the largest.

Purpose

The SWA's stated purpose is to promote, protect and represent the interests of the whisky industry in Scotland and around the world. Similar to the Portman Group, it also promotes responsible drinking, with campaigns to curb drinking to excess.

History

It was formed on 17 April 1942. It became a limited company in 1960. The SWA's members represent over 95% of Scotch whisky production, which encompasses over 2,500 brands around the world.

The SWA led an unsuccessful challenge to the Scottish government's minimum alcohol price policy, enshrined in the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012. The UK's Supreme Court ruled on 15 November 2017 that the Act was not disproportionate to the stated policy aim of reducing alcohol misuse and overconsumption, and therefore not contrary to EU law.[2] Karen Betts, the SWA chief executive, said the association "accept[s] the Supreme Court's ruling".[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ SWA, Members & Brands, accessed 15 November 2017
  2. ↑ Supreme Court, Scotch Whisky Association and others (Appellants) v The Lord Advocate and another (Respondents) (Scotland) [2017 UKSC 76], 15 November 2017
  3. ↑ SWA, Response to MUP ruling, 15 November 2017

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