Whisky drinking increases

Press, 22 October 1984, Page 7

Whisky drinking increases

NZPA staff correspondent London New Zealanders appear to have rediscovered their taste for Scotch whisky, drinking 43 per cent more so far this year than last year, says the Scotch Whisky Association. Up to last August shipments of the Scottish branos totalled 751,000 litres (more than 2.5 million bottles) worth more than $6 million, according to the association’s information office in London. This compared with 1.75 million bottles in the first eight months of last year, which turned out to be the poorest year for Scotch whisky exports to New Zealand since 1969. The increase of single malt whisky exports to New Zealand was the most dramatic, rising 72 per cent over the same period, to 62,000 bottles. While accounting only for about 2 per cent of the Scotch whisky market, the single malts are seen as becoming more popular throughout the world. The popular blends dominating the market include Teachers, White Horse, Johnnie Walker, Grants and Buchannan.

Total exports of Scotch whisky in the first eight months of this year increased 1 per cent to 142,695,000 litres worth £554 million ($1473 million).