Regulation (EU) 2019/787
on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks. Of particular importance are:- The 8 classes of spirits: on form W21 Alcohol duties: Quarterly Distillery Return — declaration of materials used and spirits produced there are 8 categories listed:- malt spirits. grain spirits:
making neutral spirits of agricultural origin. neutral spirits of non-agricultural origin. spirits produced from beer. spirits produced from wine or other fermented products (previously known as made-wine). spirits produced from cider or perry. other spirits.
(a) Grain spirit is a spirit drink produced exclusively by the distillation of a fermented mash of whole grain cereals
and having organoleptic characteristics derived from the raw materials used. Restrictions on the manufacturing processes: when you manufacture spirits you must:-
Winegrowers Supplies
- making Grain Spirit
including the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs,
the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 110/2008.
The provisions on geographical indications for this regulation became applicable from 8 June 2019.
For Great Britain, this regulation will become retained EU law via the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018, with operability amendments being made via secondary legislation.
(b) With the exception of Corn, the minimum alcoholic strength by volume of grain spirit shall be 35 %.
(c) No addition of alcohol, diluted or not, shall take place.
(d) Grain spirit shall not be flavoured.
(e) Grain spirit may only contain added caramel as a means of adjusting the colour.
(f) Grain spirit may be sweetened in order to round off the final taste. However, the final product may not contain more than 10 grams of sweetening products per litre, expressed as invert sugar.
(g) A grain spirit may bear the legal name ‘grain brandy’ if it has been produced by distillation at less than 95 % vol.
from a fermented mash of whole grain cereals, presenting organoleptic features deriving from the raw materials used.
(h) In the legal name ‘grain spirit’ or ‘grain brandy’, the word ‘grain’ may be replaced with the name of the cereal used exclusively in the production of the spirit drink.
use only those processes for which you’ve received approval
comply with any conditions we specify including, if applicable, those relating to inward processing on imported cereals
If you wish to change an existing process, or use a new process you must contact the Excise Processing Teams.
You must have our written approval before introducing any changes to your processes.