Made to be Measured
Do you know how much alcohol is a dram of Scotch Whisky when compared to other drinks?
A dram of whisky can be one of life’s wee pleasures, but have you ever thought - how many units of alcohol are in the glass?
A single measure of Scotch (25ml) contains 1 unit of alcohol. It's recommended that you do not regularly exceed 14 units of alcohol a week.
Scotch Whisky: made to be measured. Savour your Scotch.
Ways to plan your units and drink responsibly
If you choose to enjoy an alcoholic drink as part of a night out, a night in or as a celebration, remember to do the following:
💧Stay hydrated – be sure to regularly alternate alcoholic drinks with water
🍔Have something to eat throughout the day or evening
🤝Look after friends and colleagues
🚫Never drink and drive
Want to learn more about monitoring your drinking? Visit the Drinkaware website to explore useful tools and tips.
Can single malt Scotch Whisky be used in cocktails?
Yes, absolutely! While blended Scotch whisky has more commonly been used in cocktail mixing, single malt Scotch is a fantastic addition to a cocktail. A cocktail mixologist will use a range of mixers and ingredients, along with their skills in creating great taste combinations, to mix a longer drink that ensures Scotch Whisky’s craft and flavour profiles are allowed to shine through.
Remember, cocktails should always be sipped and savoured, and you should pay attention to how many units of alcohol are included, as it can often be more than one.
Whisky Sour
Ingredients
- 50ml 40% ABV Scotch Whisky (2 units)
- 30ml lemon juice
- 15ml pure cane syrup
- 15ml egg white
How to make:
Shake all the ingredients with ice. Strain back into the cocktail shaker and shake again, without ice. Strain into an ice-filled glass, garnish with dried orange slice.
For more information about how to manage your alcohol consumption, visit
Do you know how many units of alcohol you're consuming each week?
It's important to measure your drinks when pouring at home.
About the campaign
Launched in 2023, the campaign from the Scotch Whisky industry encourages drinkers in Scotland to learn more about units of alcohol in different drinks categories.
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote responsible consumption and tackle harmful drinking, Made to be Measured aims to raise awareness of the alcohol content of drinks and the recommended weekly guidelines (units). As Scotland’s national drink, carefully crafted and only released after many years of maturation in warehouses across the country, Scotch Whisky is there to be savoured and enjoyed responsibly. Aimed at adults in Scotland, the campaign runs across a range of digital and consumer platforms, all using creative advertising to help convey and clarify the units within Scotch Whisky and other alcoholic drinks.
Hear from representatives from the Scotch Whisky Association and PR agency Smarts on how the Made to be Measured campaign was created.
The SWA is taking an active role in ensuring the Made to Be Measured campaign supports industry professionals in communicating the importance of responsible drinking effectively with their audience, through a series of online and in-person workshops. The collaborative nature of the events allows members the opportunity to share unique insight into the challenges faced by industry while SWA can help equip them with campaign tools and assets.
Want to support the campaign? Share #MadeToBeMeasured on social media
FM @humzayousaf met with SWA Council today to discuss shared priorities including investment, exports & tourism, along with a pledge to build on the success of the industry’s #MadeToBeMeasured campaign with direct support from @scotgov
— Scotch Whisky Association (@ScotchWhiskySWA) September 8, 2023
Read the release 👉https://t.co/tIyBsRkSjV pic.twitter.com/4IJLbObvJT
"The craft and heritage that goes into every drop of whisky means that it deserves to be appreciated."
— Scotch Whisky Association (@ScotchWhiskySWA) August 31, 2023
From Scotland 🏴 to the world 🌍, @ChivasNewsRoom Master Blender Sandy Hyslop writes in @TheScotsman about how #ScotchWhisky is #MadeToBeMeasuredhttps://t.co/3P0hUvSya7
A pleasure to meet FM @HumzaYousaf earlier today 🏴🥃
— Scotch Whisky Association (@ScotchWhiskySWA) August 3, 2023
Great that @scotgov supports our #MadeToBeMeasured campaign to educate consumers on responsible alcohol consumption
We look forward to working with the First Minister on that shared priority, as well as growth and Net-Zero https://t.co/LGBGlgrMs9
What a night! #MadeToBeMeasured sponsors @HolyroodSources - and we were delighted to hear FM @HumzaYousaf support the campaign during the pod's first live audience show
— Scotch Whisky Association (@ScotchWhiskySWA) August 16, 2023
🎧 Listen to #HolyroodSourcesLive: https://t.co/djcMH7lIc6
🥃Savour your Scotch: https://t.co/oFNW1bE4sa pic.twitter.com/6hQSxct4MF
Scotch Whisky is #MadeToBeMeasured – the craft and skill that goes into your dram of Scotch means it should be sipped and savoured.
— Scotch Whisky Association (@ScotchWhiskySWA) July 31, 2023
25ml of 40% ABV #ScotchWhisky is 1 unit of alcohol.
Learn more 👉 https://t.co/6tfeYIL1KM pic.twitter.com/xio4iW2N4t
news & commentary
Scotch Whisky industry launches second year of responsible consumption campaign
Scottish Government to Support ‘Made to be Measured’ Campaign
Partnership working across key areas discussed in meeting between First Minister and industry leaders.
Spirits braced for inflation fuelling tax hike
As the largest duty increase on Scotch Whisky in 40 years comes into force, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has said the UK government has failed to keep the commitment it made when it promised to “ensure the tax system is supporting Scottish whisky.”
SWA launches new responsible drinking campaign
A new campaign from the Scotch Whisky industry encourages drinkers in Scotland to learn more about units of alcohol in different drinks categories.