Scotch as an economic indicator?  The high priced whiskey has had a very strong year.  The Guardian's Severin Carrell reports that revenue from exports of Scotch were up more than 20 percent during the first half of this year.  That is more than a little pleasing to the Scottish government as it has set some very ambitious growth targets over the next few years--50% growth in exports by 2017, according to the Guardian.  But what we find striking is where the growth is:

Foreign shipments of blended and malt whisky were worth £1.8bn, compared with £1.47bn in the first half of 2010, despite the global economic downturn, the relative high cost of whisky and depressed overseas sales by other British exporters.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said that the strongest sales increases were in Asia, rising by 33% to £423m, and in Central and South America, where the value of exports jumped by nearly 50% to £214m. Sales in the US hit £268m, up 14%, and in France rose by 13%, up to £220m.

Gavin Hewitt, the SWA's chief executive, said whisky was now a "main driver" for the UK in building overseas markets. The association's success in breaking down trade barriers and strengthening legal protections for the Scotch brand in India and Turkey had been essential, he added.

Brazil, China, India?  Scotch nations?  Surely the growth in Scotch buying there is a sign of a rising consumer class, and bodes well for other luxury items globally.  Read the full article here.