New life for ‘lost’ distilleries

TWO ‘lost’ distilleries which closed more than 30 years ago are to reopen amid growing global demand for Scotch whisky.

Port Ellen and Brora distilleries both shut in 1983 and have since seen their malts elevated to cult status by enthusiasts willing to pay thousands of pounds for each remaining bottle.

Now drinks giant Diageo has announced a £35million investment to reopen them, thanks to ‘the strong growth in the single malt Scotch market’.

Port Ellen Distillery lies at the southern end of the whisky island of Islay, while Brora is on the east coast of Sutherland. It is hoped they will become stops on the ever expanding list of locations which draw whisky enthusiasts to Scotland from around the globe.

Dr Nick Morgan, of Diageo, said: ‘This is a truly exceptional moment in Scotch whisky. Port Ellen and Brora are names which have a uniquely powerful resonance with whisky lovers around the world and the opportunity to bring these lost distilleries back to life is as rare and special as the spirit for which the distilleries are famous.’

Subject to planning permission and regulatory consents, design, construction and commissioning work, it is expected the distilleries will be in production by 2020.

Whisky connoisseurs typically expect to pay more than £2,000 for a bottle of 1977 Brora, while a Port Ellen 36-year-old sold at Bonhams last week for £9,375.

Brora distillery was founded in 1819 as ‘Clynelish’ by the Marquis of Stafford At peak it produced one million litres a year In 1968 the original distiller was closed after a new site was built next door

The 1972 Brora was the most expensive single malt ever released by Diageo at £14,500, left

Port Ellen distillery was founded in 1825 by Alexander Kerr MacKay on the Isle of Islay It produced around 2.7 million litres per year

A bottle of 37-year-old Port Ellen special release currently fetches £2,625