May 1, 2026: Trump to remove Scotch whisky tariffs and other news
Trump to remove Scotch whisky tariffs, new Mezcal GI extension, Cognac new uprooting plan, Barbancourt calling for State's intervention in Haiti and more...
The Spirits Post is an international press review about the spirits industry brought to you by Eugenia Torelli, an Italian spirits journalist and judge. If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, you can subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox:
Hello from Charles de Gaulle airport!
I have another two hours to kill before I finally board my flight to Venice, following an eight-day trip visiting rum distilleries in the French Caribbean. What better way to spend the wait than by rounding up the latest industry news?
Trump to remove tariffs on Scotch whisky following King Charles visit
US President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to slash tariffs on Scotch whisky imports. The move follows King Charles III’s state visit this week to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated: “In honour of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom […] I will be removing the tariffs and restrictions on whisky having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on whiskey and Bourbon, two very important industries within Scotland and Kentucky.”
Read the full report by Daphne Psaledakis and Christian Martinez for Reuters:
Trump lifts tariffs on UK whisky to toast departing King Charles
Reactions from the major trade associations can be found here:
Mezcal Gi extended to new municipalities in Puebla
The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (Impi) has announced an expansion of the Denomination of Origin (Do) for Mezcal in Puebla. The municipalities of Puebla and Huaquechula have now been incorporated into the protected region, bringing the state’s total to 118 designated municipalities.
News by Anaid Piñas in El Popular:
Puebla suma 118 municipios con Denominación de Origen del mezcal: IMPI
Official announcement on Gobierno de Maxico’s website:
Cognac launches temporary uprooting plan to balance production
The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (Bnic) has introduced a new temporary uprooting (grubbing up) scheme to reduce production potential. The plan offers producers €3,000 per hectare, with an additional €1,500 after five years, or a €3,000 bonus if rights are waived within three to five years of uprooting. The Bnic is also calling on the European Union for compensation to offset the impact of Chinese anti-dumping duties.
Analysis by Alexandre Abellan in Vitisphere:
Further coverage in Le Figaro:
Supprimer «12.000 à 13.000 hectares» : le cognac se lance dans un vaste plan d’arrachage
Barbancourt calls for urgent state intervention as crisis deepens in Toussaint Louverture International Airport area
Barbancourt Distillery, along with Brasserie de la Couronne and Brasserie Séjourné, has issued a joint press release demanding immediate government action to secure the area around Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Haiti.
The region, critical for logistics, is under threat from gang violence. These three companies employ approximately 2,500 people and indirectly support the livelihoods of 160,000 more. Beyond the economic impact, the Fondation Barbancourt remains a vital lifeline for local healthcare and education.
Report via Bloomberg:
Haiti Rum Giant, Bottlers Warn of ‘New Lost Zone’ on Gang Havoc
Original statement via Rhum Barbancourt’s official X profile:
That’s all for today, but I will have some more news about rum in the next days… keep in touch and thank’s for following.
Cheers ;)