Whiskey lovers celebrate dropped tariffs on UK spirits
Fans of scotch and other U.k.-based spirits are raising a glass to a move by the U.S. to suspend 25% tariffs on products imported from across the pond — just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
“It’s a major relief,” said Jason Waddleton, owner of Scottish restaurant The Haven, which exclusively serves single-malt scotch in Jamaica Plain.
The Trump administration put retaliatory tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of European products in October 2019 during a dispute between the U.S. and U.K. over air travel trade.
Scotch exports to the states reportedly dropped by a third over the last 16 months, with scotch taxed 25%.
Professionals in the whiskey industry said they could understand, with the timing, why many people would turn toward cheaper options while the tariffs were in place.
“It was a turbulent time anyway, we’re already going through a global pandemic. Money is definitely on everybody’s mind. So when these tariffs kicked in, it was harder for people to put their hand in their pocket and buy that little bit extra,” said Rebecca Gardiner, who works in Boston for several Irish whiskey brands including Slane Irish Whiskey.
But for true scotch lovers, there is no replacement. “I always say single-malt scotch is the Shakespeare of whiskeys,” Gardiner said.
“The 25% raised prices drastically,” said Joe Howell, who offers customers more than 100 whiskeys at Federal Wine & Spirits on State Street in downtown Boston.
Howell has been in a tough position during the tariffs, as most of his clientele are not commuting to their workplaces in the Financial District right now. Foot traffic has been down, further compounding financial stresses. He said he wants to see the tariffs removed indefinitely.
“It would be nice to know that it’s not just going to be four months that they do away with it,” he said.
Waddleton built his Jamaica Plain restaurant as an authentically Scottish pub, and when the tariffs came into effect, he found himself in a pinch. He decided to do everything he could not to pass the cost onto his customers, because single-malt scotch is the only liquor he serves straight up to patrons.
“For our prices I tried to to keep it just the same price as before, and just take the hit,” he said.
But he said with zero tariffs on other types of whiskey — particularly domestic brands — he felt he was at a huge disadvantage until now.
“You can now operate on the same playing field,” he said. “It’s obvious. So that’s a really nice benefit to be looking forward to.”
The U.S. will lift tariffs on other premium products from the U.K., including Scottish cashmere and Stilton cheese.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.