Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Can I label and market a spiced rum in Europe at 40% ABV with natural spices, or must I call it a spiced spirit drink?
EU rum labelling rules for spiced variants are unclear and vary by market and regulator interpretation. Members report mixed experiences: **Labelling approaches members are using:** - **"Spiced Rum"** — one member reported success calling their 37.5% ABV natural-spice rum "Spiced Rum" across 20+ European markets with no issues so far - **"Rum spirit drink"** or **"Spirit drink with Rum"** — recommended as the safer legal option for new product development (NPD); members note this avoids potential trading standards challenges - **"Caribbean Spirit"** — an alternative positioning that has worked for some members exporting to Europe - **Dual labelling** — if using "Rum" and "Spirit drink," both terms must be the same font size, but you can display a large **"SPICED"** above them **Key caveats:** - Australia, USA, and Sweden have stricter spice-labelling rules than most EU markets - Some sources suggest natural spices allow "Spiced Rum" classification, but this guidance is not universally enforced - Trading standards officers may interpret rules differently; one member warned that some can "want to be knob heads" about it - The safest approach for new products is **"Rum spirit drink"** to avoid regulatory pushback, even if existing products successfully use "Spiced Rum" in market Members recommend checking with your specific target markets before launch, as interpretation varies.
What flexibility exists for spirits bottle sizes in EU markets like France, Spain, and Italy—can craft brands use 750ml instead of the standard 700ml?
EU spirits regulations technically mandate 700ml as the standard size, but enforcement varies significantly by country and market position. **Smaller and niche craft brands often operate with 750ml bottles in practice**, particularly through distribution into Germany and other EU markets, as regulators tend to overlook non-major producers. However, this is informal tolerance rather than official flexibility—having to maintain two bottle sizes (700ml and 750ml) remains a significant operational burden for craft brands. Members noted this is an ongoing frustration for the sector, especially compared to recent US TTB flexibility on alternative spirits sizes. There is currently no formal EU or UK framework allowing size variation, though pressure for change is building within the craft spirits community.
What are the key differences between UK and EU labelling regulations for alcohol products?
The UK and EU have broadly similar labelling rules for alcohol, but there are several important differences to be aware of: **Units and tax stamps:** - The EU does not require units to be displayed on labels, whereas the UK does - The UK requires a tax/duty stamp on labels; the EU generally does not (with exceptions including Italy) - If exporting from the UK to the EU with a UK label that includes a tax stamp, you must place a sticker over the duty stamp to comply - From 1 May onwards, there is no issue with obliterating the duty stamp when exporting from the UK **Practical approach:** Members recommend checking with your distributor or legal advisor about the specific requirements for your target EU markets, as rules can vary by country (e.g. Italy has its own tax stamp requirements). The similarity of most rules means a single label design can often work across both markets with minor modifications like the sticker solution for duty stamps.
What laboratory should we use to get EU-recognised certificates of analysis and testing for European sales?
Members have used **Campden BRI** for EU-recognised laboratory testing and certificates of analysis. However, note that contact via their website contact form can be slow (6 weeks reported); members recommend requesting a direct contact email address from someone who has recently worked with them, as this significantly speeds up the process. Confirm current EU recognition status directly with Campden BRI, as regulatory classifications may have shifted post-Brexit.