Canadian single-malt destiller is free to sell Glen Breton Rare

Posted on January 31, 2007
Filed Under Non Scottish Malts, WhiskyBuzz |

The only single-malt distiller in Canada won a trademark battle against The Scotch Whisky Association.

The argument regarded the name of the Glen Breton Rare made in the Nova Scotia based Glenora Distillery. The distillery is based in Glenville, Cape Breton, next to the community of Glenora Falls. The company decided to call its product Glen Breton Whisky as a way of incorporating these place names.

The Scotch Whisky Association took issue several years ago with the label and argued that the name Glen might confuse whisky drinkers into thinking they’re sipping Scotch whisky.

The Scotch Whisky Association argued that “glen” is a Scottish term, and only whisky produced in Scotland should be called Scotch whisky, but the Canadian Trademarks Opposition Board has rejected the arguments of the Scottish group.

So, for now it seems that the Glenora Distillery is free to keep selling its Glen Breton Rare whisky, however The Scotch Whisky Association said the ruling goes against international case law and it plans to file an appeal.