Scotch exporters are having a “jamboree of a time” with the falling pound, says a whisky boss.
But Graham Hutcheon, who is part of the Scotch Whisky Association, said businesses face risks from leaving the EU that would “choke a horse”.
The fringe event at the SNP conference also included a demand from the Confederation of British Industry for UK ministers not to leave everyone in the dark as they pursue a Brexit deal.
Mr Hutcheon, who is group operations director at The Edrington Group, which makes Highland Park and Famous Grouse, said while there is an export boom now he expects an adjustment, with the higher price of importing raw materials into Scotland likely to push prices up.
He told delegates: “At the moment with the pound falling we are having a jamboree time in the world.
“But it is not going to be long before those markets recognise what has happened and start forcing prices down.”
On Brexit, he said: “There are one or two opportunities; there are a number of threats. We have got a risk matrix that we would choke a horse.
“Clarity would be our number one plea to governments across the UK. We like real clear playing fields in which we can operate.”
Carolyn Fairbairn, who is the director-general of the CBI, which hosted the event, said she accepted there had to be an element of secrecy in the Brexit negotiation but said a “running commentary and no commentary are two different things”.
“I think there needs to be an understanding on our side of the need for a negotiation, but in the middle there is room for proper sharing of evidence and (calling on) bottom up business experience,” she added.