A national first: Standardizing the spirit of whisky

It’s time to raise a glass to BS 8636 - the first voluntary British Standard that provides a specification on the production process of whisky.

There are few beverages which have stood the test of time quite like whisky. Dating back hundreds of years, this distilled alcoholic beverage is inextricably woven into the history, culture and traditions of the UK. Even today, whisky is big business.

The UK is, by far, the leading exporter of whisky worldwide. This trend has continued with global exports of Scotch Whisky alone growing to more than £6 billion for the first time in 2022, according to figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

And it is the global consumption of the UK’s traditional whiskies which have formed consumer expectations of the spirit across the world.

Today, consumers in different markets expect whisky to be made from cereals, distilled in a certain way, aged for a minimum period in wooden casks and sold at a strength not less than 40% alcohol volume. This ensures whisky retains the colour, aroma, and taste that consumers are used to, derived from its raw materials and production process.

To provide a consistent method of production for all UK distillers and new entrants to the industry, experts from the Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish industries have developed a voluntary British Standard. This document provides a specification for the production process of whisky and the main categories of whisky traded globally. And at a time when whisky production is growing worldwide, with new distillers looking to the UK for guidance, producers overseas following this British Standard will produce a high-quality spirit which meets the expectations of consumers when buying whisky.

BS 8636:2023 Whisky - Use of analytical parameters and methods of analysis – Specification details the methods of analysis which can be used by whisky distillers to establish authenticity and consistency within their whisky production process.

What’s covered by the UK’s first whisky standard?

BS 8636 details the methods of analysis which can be used to establish authenticity and consistency within the whisky production process, from distillation and maturation to bottling. It also covers the expected organoleptic characteristics, the typical ranges for analytes of interest and other technical whisky matters.

This voluntary standard has been developed by the consensus of whisky experts for use by new and established UK distillers and regulators. It is consistent with existing legal requirements in the UK. Though not a mandatory requirement, the specification in BS 8636 establishes a means to ensure consistency in whisky production processes, preserve the authenticity of distilling traditions and support national and global trade.

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What are the benefits of using BS 8636?

The importance of BS 8636 cannot be understated.It represents the nations of the UK working together to protect the historic tradition of whisky distilling, as well as facilitating the trade of whisky internationally.

The standard:

• Defines consistent best production practices for whisky

Consistency is key because it ensures that the flavour and quality of a whisky brand remains the same every time it is produced. This ensures that distillers can meet the expectations of their customers, creating an enjoyable experience. As overseas whisky producers increasingly look to the UK for guidance on best practice, BS 8636 defines what the whisky production process should look like, complementing the existing legal framework in promoting fairness, transparency, and quality in the industry, to protect both producers and consumers.

• Empowers whisky distillers to trade internationally

BS 8636 Adhering to this document means that producers can demonstrate that their whisky meets regulatory requirements and the expectations of the global market and consumers, facilitating trade opportunities.

• Demonstrates whisky quality and authenticity

Whisky is a product with a rich history and tradition. Distillers take pride in the craft of whisky-making and the unique characteristics of their product. BS 8636 details best practices to maintain whisky quality and authenticity. It supports producers to honour tradition to ensure the continued success of the industry.

Help your whisky meet industry and consumer standards by downloading your copy of BS 8636 today.