[Aljazeera] Glasgow, Scotland - Robert Burns, Scotland's beloved 18th-century national poet and songwriter, penned words in praise of it. Winston Churchill, Britain's war-time prime minister, breakfasted on it. And Robert Mitchum, screen legend and Hollywood hell-raiser, often got into trouble because of it. Scotch whisky, made only in Scotland, is a drink that has devotees across the globe. It has seen off world travails and even prohibition in the US to become the planet's most sought-after international spirit with, in 2017, a UK export value of 4.36bn pounds ($5.65bn).
But this very Scottish industry is facing a new challenge - Brexit.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) trade body was not unique among UK industry in supporting a Remain vote.