Skip to the content

Help us protect Scotch Whisky

Help us protect Scotch Whisky
Take a look a our guide on how to spot fake Scotch Whisky, and how to report it to the SWA Legal team

The SWA legal team cannot visit every market worldwide. The team relies on information from the SWA's member companies, its international network of lawyers and investigators and members of the public to alert them to problems so that prompt legal action can be taken.

If you come across a suspicious product or you have concerns about whiskies on sale in any country, please contact us. Your help with the vital task of protecting Scotch Whisky is greatly appreciated.

The SWA's legal team will need to know the identity and location of the seller of the brand you are concerned about. If possible, images of the products would be very helpful.

Take a look at our guide on how to spot fake Scotch Whisky, and how to contact the Scotch Whisky Association Legal team with details of suspicious products.

Download the guide here.

Help us protect Scotch Whisky news & commentary

21 August 2023

Scotch Whisky Secures Trademark Protection in Hong Kong

Scotch Whisky now has trademark protection in Hong Kong for the first time.

22 May 2023

SWA Legal Team Toasts WTR Awards Success as Best Not-for-Profit Organisation

The Scotch Whisky Association's Legal Affairs team has won its third World Trademark Review award in five years.

25 April 2022

Joint statement with Macaloney Brewer & Distillers Ltd

A joint statement with Macaloney Brewer & Distillers Ltd

20 January 2022

Decision over Glen Buchenbach upheld by appeal court

The SWA has won the legal case against the use of 'Glen' in Germany.

20 November 2020

Scotch Whisky is registered as a GI in Laos

Scotch Whisky has officially been registered as a Geographical Indication in Laos

05 August 2020

SWA releases new guidance on personal investment in Scotch Whisky casks

The SWA has published guidance for individuals looking to invest in Scotch Whisky casks.

12 December 2019

Scotch Whisky secures GI protection in Cambodia

Cambodia is the latest country in which Scotch Whisky's geographical indication is officially registered.

31 May 2019

SWA legal team wins 'Team of the Year' award

The SWA has been recognised for its work to protect Scotch Whisky at an awards ceremony in Boston.

07 February 2019

SWA Comments on Glen Buchenbach case

Our case against Glen Buchenbach presented clear and compelling evidence to the court that 'Glen' is strongly associated with Scotland and Scotch Whisky, and the only reason to use 'Glen' for a German whisky is because of its undoubted association with Scotch Whisky.

Help us protect Scotch Whisky publications

19 June 2020

Thinking of investing in Scotch Whisky?

The SWA has produced guidance for consumers of what to consider when investing in a cask of Scotch Whisky.

31 January 2019

Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009: Guidance for Producers and Bottlers

The following guidance is aimed at assisting those producing and selling Scotch Whisky, and those designing labels, packaging and advertising, to comply with the 2009 Scotch Whisky Regulations.

Help us protect Scotch Whisky pages

Personal Investment in a Scotch Whisky Cask

It is impossible to think of Scotland without thinking of Scotch Whisky. Its roots are firmly embedded in Scottish history and traditions but today it is drunk in the most stylish bars in the world's biggest cities. For more than 500 years the Scots have successfully taken the natural ingredients which our country has been blessed with - barley, cool clear water, peat and pure clean air - to create the world's leading international spirit drink. Distilled in over 140 distilleries dotted around Scotland from the Northern Isles to the Borders it is exported to around 180 markets across the globe - an unrivalled reach for the product of any one country. Scotch Whisky makes up a quarter of the UK's food and drink exports and the value of annual exports has grown consistently for more than a decade. All of this creates considerable interest in investing in Scotch Whisky, driven by a desire to share in its success.