Reviving One of Islay's Legendary Distilleries (WhiskyCast Episode 770: June 2, 2019)

Construction could begin later this year on Diageo's planned
revival of the legendary Port Ellen Distillery on Islay, which
was closed in 1983. Only the seaside warehouses and the old kiln
building are left, and they'll play a key role in the
distillery's future when it opens in 2021 - assuming local
officials sign off on planning approval for the project. That
application was submitted in mid-May, with a decision expected
later this summer. Islay native and former Lagavulin manager
Georgie Crawford is the project manager for the Port Ellen
revival, and she'll join us on WhiskyCast In-Depth to explain the
plans - and how the team tapped into the memories of former Port
Ellen workers to help shape those plans. In the news, climate
change could be playing a major role in Scotch Whisky's immediate
future as distillers and barley farmers deal with the
after-effects of last summer's drought. Another dispute between
the Trump Administration and Mexico could see tariffs slapped
back on American whiskies just days after they were removed, and
could North Korea actually be getting into the whisky business?