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Feature: Legacy of Scotch whisky remains strong

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The legacy of Scotch whisky, a British success revered around the world but which can only be made in Scotland, remains strong as ever at the Glengoyne Distillery making highland single malts near Glasgow.

One of the 100-odd distilleries in Scotland, the small-scale distillery was established in 1833. Surrounded by beautiful nature in the south of Scotland's highlands, it attracts about 50,000 visitors a year.

Barley, water and yeast are the three key ingredients of single malt Scotch whisky, which is matured inside oak casks as oak is a kind of wood that can breathe. The source of the water to the shape of the still makes every Scotch whisky different, Sarah Bottomley, sales and marketing manager of Glengoyne Distillery, told Xinhua recently.

"Scotch whisky is closely linked with the environment, culture and people of the origin. Scotch whisky is subject to a tight legal definition. Made only from barley and other cereals, water and yeast, it can only be called Scotch if it has been distilled and matured in Scotland," distillery tour guide David said.

A Scotch whisky label comprises several elements that indicate aspects of production, age, bottling, and ownership, as well as alcohol volume with the minimum of 40 percent. By law, all Scotch whisky must be matured in oak casks for at least three years, said David.

Exported to about 200 countries around the world, Scotch whisky leads the way for British food and drink in overseas markets, accounting for about one quarter of all British food and drink exports and 80 percent of Scottish food and drink exports, said Rosemary Gallagher, communications manager of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Exports have increased by 87 percent in the last 10 years, with sales increasing in emerging markets such as China, Russia, India and Africa, said Martin Bell, SWA deputy director of international affairs. He added Scotch whisky still faced around 600 trade barriers in markets abroad.

In 2012, exports generated 4.27 billion pounds (6.52 billion U.S. dollars) for British trade, with the top Scotch whisky export markets being the United States, France, Singapore, Spain and Germany. Britain itself is the third largest market for Scotch whisky, according to the SWA, which represents over 90 percent of the Scotch whisky industry

Drinkers of Scotch whisky in Britain are penalized by high excise duty, which, together with VAT, makes up 80 percent of the purchase price of a bottle of Scotch.

Over 1 billion pounds (1.52 billion U.S. dollars) a year is invested across the industry's supply chain, and Scotch whisky producers have committed 2 billion pounds in capital investment over the next three to four years, the SWA said in its Scotch Whisky 2013 report.

Around 35,000 jobs are supported by the Scotch whisky industry of which 10,000 are directly within the industry, it added. Endi