The Spanish drink is Scottish rather than Scotch (5)
I believe the answer is:
elgin
'scottish rather than scotch' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'the spanish drink' is the wordplay.
'the spanish' becomes 'el' ('the' in Spanish).
'drink' becomes 'gin' (gin is an alcoholic drink).
'el'+'gin'='ELGIN'
'is' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elgin that I've seen before include "here in Britain?" , "The -- Marbles (British Museum)" , "English lord" , "Scottish admin centre" , "one who removed antiquities" .)