Good news on the whiskey front for today. Couple of topics and friendly banter is what were all about. Enjoy
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Donald Trump has said he will remove all tariffs and restrictions on whisky imports in honour of King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the US.
The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon.
The UK government confirmed this applies to all whisky tariffs, including on Irish whiskey.
Industry representatives said distillers would be able to "breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector".
President Trump told reporters why he has decided to lift tariffs on whisky
Trump said the Royal visit "got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking".
The King and Queen spent four days in the US on a state visit hosted by Trump where they visited Washington DC, New York and Virginia before they left on Thursday.
In response to the news, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said the King sent his "sincere gratitude" to Trump and he "will be raising a dram to the President's thoughtfulness".
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called it "tremendous news for Scotland" and said he was grateful to the King for the key role he played.
Swinney added: "Millions of pounds were being lost every month from the Scottish economy."
'Wonderful honour'
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said the move was "in honour of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful country".
He said the tariffs and restrictions related to "Scotland's ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important industries within Scotland and Kentucky", and noted how the two areas were linked through the use of wooden barrels.
The main customer for Kentucky's used bourbon barrels is the Scotch industry, which has been importing around £200m-worth each year.
The president added: "The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!
"A wonderful honour to have them both in the USA."
At a press conference later on Thursday, Trump added: "I just took all the restrictions off, so Scotland and Kentucky can start dealing again.
"And I did it in honour of the King and Queen who just left."
'Royal sparkle'
The Scottish and UK governments had both lobbied for the current 10% tariff rate to be reduced or removed on the basis it would benefit both Scottish and US distillers.
Tariffs for exports to the US, introduced under the Trump administration and adding 10% to importers' costs, hit sales in Scotland's whisky industry's biggest export market.
American tariffs on single malts, which were suspended four years ago, were on course to return this spring with a further 25% charge, unless a deal could be done with the Trump administration.
Single malts, which sell at premium prices, are a particularly important part of exports to the US.
Yes, whisky enthusiasts are finally starting to see more allocated bottles sitting directly on retail shelves. Driven by increased production capacity and a cooling of the post-pandemic "bourbon craze," popular labels are becoming much easier to find without relying on raffles, lotteries, or secondary markets.
While true "unicorn" status bottles (like Pappy Van Winkle or George T. Stagg) remain incredibly rare, the wider market is shifting.
