Plans for an official designation of English whisky has stirred indignation among the Scotch community who say it undermines the reputation of single malts.

Legally, single malt Scotch must be made in one single distillery. Under the proposed rules English whisky could be made in several locations, significantly cutting costs and, say its distillers, allowing for more innovation.

However, the Scotch industry says it could flood the market with cheaper, lower-quality products, and damage one of Scotland’s crown jewel sectors.

The dispute emerged as the English Whisky Guild (EWG) revealed that its application for a “geographical indication” (GI) has reached the approval stage after four years of development.

The EWG statement also highlighted similar standards in the EU, as well as in Wales, where the single malt rules align with the proposed English whisky GI by being distilled at a single distillery.

“These differing standards support the creation of quality whisky while fostering innovation and differentiation in each country,” the statement said.

The EWG worked with its 26 member distilleries and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to create the proposed GI, ensuring that it aligns with the rest of the UK. Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales each have their own GI for whisky.

It is now in the consultation phase, which is open to public feedback until 19 May.

A spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association said: “This is entirely inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky, which is famous for its integral connection to place, and would undermine the Single Malt Scotch Whisky category.

“It would be very damaging for the reputation of single malt whisky from the UK, and by extension Single Malt Scotch Whisky, if English Whiskies were allowed to describe spirit as ‘Single Malt’ despite being produced in a different manner to the established process and long-standing traditions of the Scotch Whisky industry.”

The Scotch whisky industry is already nervous about the potential of major tariffs being imposed on the sector by US President Donald Trump.

It also comes a week after exports fell to £5.4billion from £6.2bn in 2022.

Furious SNP MSPs and MPs joined a chorus of opposition to what they claimed is a further example of England trying to take control of a Scottish cultural and economic asset.

Responding to a question from SNP MSP Emma Harper in parliament today, First Minister John Swinney said the Scottish Government “will make all necessary representations on this issue to protect the identity and the character of Scotch whisky.”

SNP MP Graham Leadbitter, whose Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency is home to Speyside Malts and one-third of Scotland’s whisky distilleries, said: “This is an act of sabotage and is yet another blatant attack on one of Scotland’s key industries by a Labour Government that simply doesn’t care. 

“These plans pull the rug from beneath the crown jewel in Scotland’s exports and completely undermines our world class Scotch Whisky sector – Sir Keir Starmer must end these damaging plans now.”