Scotch Whisky has been registered as a certification trade mark in Taiwan in a major legal breakthrough in the fourth biggest market for Scotch by value — where exports were worth £75 million in the first six months of the year alone.

The trade mark recognises that Scotch must be made in Scotland from water, cereals and yeast and matured for at least three years.

“It is of great commercial value to the Scotch Whisky industry and gives consumers confidence in the quality and provenance of what they are buying,” said the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Further, a second trade mark has been awarded in Taiwan to protect the Chinese characters that spell out “Scotch Whisky.”

Scotch Whisky in Chinese characters is: 蘇格蘭威士忌

Taiwan is the third biggest overseas market for single malt with exports worth £41 million in the first half 2016.

The SWA, which applied for the trade mark, says the existence of the UK Customs’ Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme, which was introduced in 2014, was an important factor in meeting the requirements necessary to secure protection.

“The scheme ensures every part of the Scotch Whisky supply chain is mapped by the industry, registered with the UK Government and inspected to check it complies with all the rules on the production of Scotch,” said the SWA.

The trade marks make it more straightforward to take legal action against anyone trying to produce or sell fake Scotch in the future.

Lindesay Low, Scotch Whisky Association senior legal counsel, said: “Taiwan has for many years been a major market for Scotch Whisky, in particular single malts.

“The trade marks for Scotch Whisky mean that consumers can have even greater confidence in the quality of what they are buying. It will also give a further boost to Scotch Whisky producers exporting to Taiwan.

“We would like to thank the authorities in Taiwan who were of great assistance in working with us on the successful outcome of our trade mark application, as were the UK Government.”