George Frier, partner at Shepherd and Wedderburn, who has over 30 years’ experience working with the whisky industry, provided guidance to the founding members in establishing the association, membership standards and criteria.

The CWA Members include cask whisky brokerages and businesses, distilleries, independent bottlers, and whisky experts working within what is presently an unregulated part of the sector.

Chairman of the Board Colin Hampden-White (photo, front left) says the association’s goal is to uphold the overall reputation of the Scotch whisky industry.

“The Cask Whisky Association exists to protect private customers from unscrupulous business practices and traders and safeguard independent bottlers from over-inflated pricing,” Mr Hampden-White said, adding: “Our members are committed to, and will provide guidance on, best practice.”

Mr Frier commented: “The association will help guide and bring together like-minded traders wanting to promote best practice in the industry. It has also got a wider positive implication for the Scotch industry generally, as no one would want its worldwide reputation to be damaged by sales of rogue or mis-sold casks.”