Kilchoman Core Expressions - 100% Islay
As our 100% Islay 8th Edition hits the shelves around the world, Islay Heads, General Manager here at Kilchoman, discusses what it takes to create Islay’s only Single Farm Single Malt.
Discover more about our 100% Islay range:
Scotch whisky makers face uncertainty as independence vote looms
Uncertainty over Scottish independence is dampening the spirits of the country's whisky producers.
With less than four weeks before the referendum on September 18, there are still question marks over key issues such as what currency an independent Scotland would use, and whether it would remain a member of the European Union.
The Scotch Whisky Association says continued uncertainty could damage the 4.2 billion pound (6.96 billion US dollar) industry, a mainstay of Scotland's economy.
The issue is of particular concern on the small Hebridean island of Islay (pronounced EYE-la), 140 miles (225 kilometres) west of Glasgow.
Islay is believed to have the highest concentration of whisky distilleries in the world - eight of them on an island of barely 3,000 people.
Connoisseurs say Islay's barley fields, peat bogs and salty sea air make it ideal for whisky production.
The historic Bruichladdich (pronounced Brook-LADDIE) distillery still looks much as it did when it was built in 1881.
Intricate, clanking machinery mixes barley grist with hot water inside a giant vat called a mash tun.
The alcohol that eventually results from this is distilled in a traditional copper still.
Only later - years later - does it mature into the precious amber liquid known the world over as Scotch.
It all takes time.
And that's why Carl Reavey, content creation manager at Bruichladdich, is worried about the unresolved issues surrounding the prospect of an independent Scotland.
He says whisky is a business in which decisions taken today can take decades to pay off, so producers need as much certainty as possible - and that, he says, is what they're not getting.
Whisky is an industry that depends on very long-term thinking, he points out.
Investment programmes take decades to come to fruition, and companies need to be able to plan in a hard-nosed, commercial sense for what that means for them over those kinds of timescales.
There are therefore concerns associated with the idea of the referendum, because of the uncertainties that are associated with it - over currency for example and over EU membership.
The stakes are high, and not just for people on Islay.
Scotch whisky accounts for a quarter of Britain's entire food and drink exports.
Nine out of 10 bottles are sold overseas.
The product is heavily promoted by the British government through its extensive network of foreign embassies.
David Williams of the Scotch Whisky Association wants to know if an independent Scottish government would be able to take on the role just as effectively.
How will Scotch whisky be supported overseas? he asks.
The Scottish government talks of an embassy network of up to 90 around the world. At the moment we have embassies through the UK in over 150 markets, which do great work supporting us.
So it's important, if there is independence, that issues such as that - international influence, local lobbying on trade issues - continues to be a high priority.
The Scotch Whisky Association is at pains to point out that it's not taking sides in the referendum campaign.
Its members are clear that they will work with whoever is in power.
But the questions remain, and doubts continue to swirl among whisky producers here on the edge of Europe.
All that's certain, they say, is that Scotch whisky will still be made in Scotland - whatever the result.
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Living Off The Land - Episode 3 - Field margins (audio only)
South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was one of the first groups in the UK to receive a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) All Our Stories grant.
This exciting project Living off the Land -- the changing face of farming in South Devon focuses on how things have changed over the past 50 years, changes in farm size and in traditional family farms.
Shelter Point Distillery {From Field To Flask}
Producing this project with Shelter Point Distillery was fantastic. Patrick & James approach the work they are doing with an energy and zest for life and learning. When you're around them it feels like anything is possible. It didn't take long to get us inspired and creative in how we were going to tell the story of Shelter Point Distillery. And we had a great time doing it!
We loved filming the sights and sounds of the wildlife that live and thrive on the farm; capturing harvest shots from a 40ft lift and getting covered in chaff as the combine roared by our cameras during the barley harvest in September; feeling the heat of the copper pot stills as they transformed foaming frothing barley brine into distilled alcohol in October; ducking for cover from the spray of an overfilled whisky cask during barrelling in mid November; and hearing the unique sounds of traditional Scottish cooperage tools in action as they opened an aged whisky cask to show us the copper & oak infused colors of liquid gold in December.
Most of all, we loved watching Patrick and James work with excellence and a sense of adventure as both farmers and whisky distillers.
Shelter Point Distillery is located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is blessed with a near perfect mix of fertile soil, sunshine, abundant fresh water and mild weather. These ingredients are here to produce a true 'Field to Flask' single malt whisky.
shelterpointdistillery.com
Filmed by Paul Christopher
Directed by Paul Christopher
Edited by Paul Christopher
Music licensed with themusicbed.com