Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery in Saanich, B.C. was served by the Scotch Whisky Association and Scotch producer Whyte and MacKay Limited in B.C. Supreme Court on March 5, 2021, for use of terminology that it says “dilutes the distinctive character and reputation of the Scotch whisky geographical indication in Canada.” As reported by industry sites like The Spirits Business and The Drinks Business, the SWA objects to the use of words and terms associated with Scotland and Scotch whisky, and asks for those terms to be removed.
Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery told both media outlets, “We are proud to celebrate our heritage including the Scottish ancestry of our founder and the story of his family, and firmly believe we have the right to do so in a way that celebrates both that history and reputation as a leading Vancouver Island craft distillery.”
Watchers of the artisan spirits scene might recall that in 2009, Glenora Distillery in Cape Breton won a seven-year lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Canada against the SWA, which had opposed registration of the trademark “Glen Breton.”
Macaloney’s Caldonian Distillery recently won three Gold Medals in the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition for their Glenloy Single Malt Whisky, Invermallie Single Cask STR, and Oaken Poitín. In addition their Oaken Poitin won a Silver Medal in the Canadian Whisky Awards.