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. 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) Whisky or whiskey is a spirit drink produced exclusively by carrying out all of the following production operations:- Restrictions on the manufacturing processes: when you manufacture spirits you must:-
Winegrowers Supplies
- making Whisky
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.
(i) distillation of a mash made from malted cereals, with or without whole grains of unmalted cereals, which has been:
— saccharified by the diastase of the malt contained therein, with or without other natural enzymes,
— fermented by the action of yeast;
(ii) each and every distillation is carried out at less than 94,8 % vol., so that the distillate has an aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used;
(iii) maturation of the final distillate for at least three years in wooden casks not exceeding 700 litres capacity.
The final distillate, to which only water and plain caramel (for colouring) may be added, shall retain the colour, aroma and taste it derived from the production process
referred to in points (i), (ii) and (iii).
(b) The minimum alcoholic strength by volume of whisky or whiskey shall be 40 %.
(c) No addition of alcohol, diluted or not, shall take place. 17.5.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 130/31
(d) Whisky or whiskey shall not be sweetened, even for rounding off the taste, or flavoured, or contain any additives other than plain caramel (E 150a) used for adjusting the colour.
(e) The legal name of ‘whisky’ or ‘whiskey’ may be supplemented by the term ‘single malt’ only if it has been distilled exclusively from malted barley at a single distillery.
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.