Flooding Threatens Irish And Scottish Distilleries

By Richard Thomas

Storm Frank beat down on Ireland and Scotland over the weekend, causing widespread flooding. Today’s reports indicate substantial property damage and thousands without power, and in Scotland there has been one death. Flood warnings are still current in Scotland, even as the storm abates.

For the Irish and Scottish whiskey industries, the flood means clean-up and repair work for many returning from the Holiday break.

In Cork County, Ireland, heavy rains and high tide combined to cause the Owenacurra River to burst its banks, putting Midelton’s main street under water. The major facilities of New Midleton Distillery, makers of Jameson, Green Spot and other brands, are located on higher ground, but some damage has been reported.

Midleton might be just the tip of the ice berg, as some of the hardest hit areas in Scotland are part of the Speyside whiskey region, where the majority of Scotland’s distilleries are located. As of yet, there is no official word on what, if any, damage distilleries in Scotland or elsewhere in Ireland may have suffered, but reports should become available later today and tomorrow.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/storm-frank-flooding-in-several-parts-of-co-cork-1.2480279

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/we-got-no-warning-at-all-from-anyone-flood-hit-midleton-local-says-1.2483271

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2015/dec/31/storm-frank-scotland-bears-the-brunt-as-torrential-rain-forces-evacuations-live