10 March 2006
Proposal to remove ‘maturation’ requirements from spirits scrapped
Mr Gordon Broderick, Executive Director of the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia (DSICA) congratulates the Government on shelving a proposal to remove the maturation requirements from whisky, rum and brandy.
The Treasurer Peter Costello has moved to ensure that the maturation requirements for spirits are retained following representations from Senator Ron Boswell, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate and from Paul Neville, MP representing The Nationals in the seat of Hinkler.
Currently the law requires that whisky, rum and brandy be aged for at least two years in wood. This requirement has been around for a hundred years and ensures that consumers and not sold raw or immature dark spirits.
“Maturation is an integral part of ensuring the quality of dark spirits”, said Mr Broderick. “The retention of the maturation requirement will protect Australian icons such as Bundaberg Rum from low quality immature products and will protect Australia’s international reputation as a quality producer”, Mr Broderick added.
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