Photo by morberg/Flickr CC
Good news for the American whiskey industry, but bad news for American whiskey fans: After Scotland's decision to repatriate convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Al Megrahi, critics are building pressure on importers and consumers to mount a boycott on Scottish and British products, including Scotch whisky. Americans import about $610 million in Scotch annually.
According to Scotch manufacturers quoted in the Telegraph, the boycott has so far generated more light than heat--lots of press coverage but little impact on sales, though it's probably too early in the campaign to see anything definitive.
On the other hand, with the weakened economy, Scotch sales are already hurting vis-à-vis domestic whiskey products, so this latest turn doesn't help. (And, for what little it's worth, Slate reports that "Boycott Scotland" was the 42nd most frequent Google search last week.)
The leading boycott website, www.boycottscotland.com, is anonymous, so it's unclear who or what organization is behind the move--though if I were the marketing director at Seagram's, I'd be kicking myself for not thinking of this myself.
(Hat tip to John Hansell of Malt Advocate.)
SHOP THE ATLANTIC FOOD MARKETPLACE
Subscribe to Atlantic Food
I doubt if this incident involving the release of convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Al Megrahi will result in long term boycott of Scotland or Scottish products. Americans love their Scotch, albeit the health implications of drinking too much alcohol. I think this episode will die down once Al Megrahi dies of Prostate cancer as he is reported to have. http://www.mydochub.com
So drink Irish whiskey instead.... :-D
Wouldn't it make more sense to boycott Libyan oil?
I still refuse to eat french fries or french bread or....
Boycotting Scotland is just as stupid as boycotting Whole Foods.
On the other hand I think we could all agree on boycotting haggis. :-|
The nerve of those Scotch manufacturers - releasing a vile, mass-murdering terrorist from their distilleries. Boycott, I say!
What? Oh, never mind.
What a load. Give me a Glenlivet and make it a double.
It will be a cold day in my kilt before I let politics stand between me and my Tobermory single malt.
My husband's decining health means no more booze of any kind for him.