On a visit to a distillery in Keith, Scotland, Clegg announced global exports had risen by 12 percent in the first 10 months of 2010, well on track for a bumper year. Shipments soared to a value of 2.8 billion pounds ($4.44 billion) for the period.
According to the Scotch Whisky Association, the liquor's sales represent a quarter of Britain's food and drink exports, making a significant contribution to the balance of trade.
Clegg says the official verdict on whether the industry had shattered records wouldn't come until later this year, but that the government would continue to back the spirit's tapping of new markets.
Last year government ministers extracted an agreement with China guaranteeing whisky special brand protection.
"I know from my talks in Scotland today that fair market access and tariff liberalisation in relation to India is a major priority in 2011," Clegg said. (Reuters)
