Thursday's stunning victory for supporters of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union means the one thing Scotch Whisky industry executives despise almost as much as tax increases uncertainty. With long lead times for everything from new distillery construction to maturation of new spirit, industry leaders want as much stability as possible and "Brexit" threatens to throw a giant monkey wrench into the works at a time when growth in Scotch Whisky exports has been hampered by existing global economic uncertainty.

Imagine the outcry in France if politicians served a California sparkling wine instead of Champagne at official events? While Canadian Whisky supporters aren't taking to the streets and building barricades in Ottawa yet, there is growing criticism as the new Speaker of Canada's House of Commons continues the tradition of picking a "Speaker's Selection" Scotch Whisky for use at official events. Nova Scotia MP Geoff Regan has picked a 12-year-old Aberlour single malt for use as official gifts and to be served at Parliamentary events.