Fuelish behaviour & some classy expression

Some of you may have heard that issues with a pier on Islay, combined with rough weather had put a stop to fuel deliveries to the island threatening to put a halt to distillation for a while.

A reader writes to ask:

Dear Scotch Blog,

I've just read the post on Bowmore and its planned makeover.

It mentions " A stylish,very contemporary space with a simple tasting bar arranged to take advantage of picture postcard views over Loch Indaal (giving a good view of iconoclastic local rival Bruichladdich into the bargain!)".

Which brings me to a question or two. When looking over the Loch to the Bruich, is Jim McEwan laughing or crying? The last time I saw him, in Zurich on the Whiskyship, he was none too happy about the prospects of being back on Islay without fuel to heat the pots.

I know they had to shut down because of "pier pressure". What I haven't heard is the current status of fuel on Islay. Have other distillers had to stop distilling? Who still is or isn't? Have they gotten a new shipment of fuel? What is the situation with the loading pier?

If you have answers to any of these questions,I'd very much appreciate hearing them.
Thanks and thanks again to you and Ian Buxton for the Bowmore story. I'm enthusiastic about Ian's latest endeavor and anticipate seeing the release of his first two offerings!
Keep up the great work,

Sincerely,

Michael Dereszynski
Madison,Wisconsin

Unfortunately, I don't live on Islay, so I asked Mark Reynier of Bruichladdich, the status:

Oil was eventually delivered to the island (Shell, we discovered, use our webcams to decide when the weather was calm enough!) and all is back to normal.
 
We did not lose any distillation in the end as we were able to convert to diesel after the oil ran out.
Mark Reynier

Thanks Michael (for asking) and Mark (for answering).

---

By the way the "Ian's latest endeavor" that Michael refers to is Classic Expressions, reprints of classic whisky-related books. Only 500 copies of each book will be produced and if you are one of the first 100 people to order Reminiscences of a Gauger and/or Smuggling in the Highlands, you will become a Founding Subscriber and your name will be imprinted in the Roll of Founding Subscribers that will be published at the front of the book.

The books will be collectors items in their own right - but with your name included in the book, this will become a treasured keepsake and heirloom!

I have worked out a deal with Ian to resell a limited number of copies of the books.

There are some benefits:

1. I've reserved certain numbers (60, 70, 80, 90, 100) in each book - and you get to select which numbered edition you get. (First come, first serve, of course). Upon request I may be able to work out something with Ian to reserve another number (that has not yet been claimed).
2. Live in the U.S.? I will pay your shipping.

Interested? Go to DoceonPress and reserve your copy.
In the unlikely event that Classic Expressions doesn't reach 100 orders, you will get your money back.

Comments

[Ian Buxton]

Thanks to folk like Michael (who ordered early and got a nice low number!) and Kevin with his great support, we are making good progress on this project. Reprinting classic whisky books from the 1800s (and maybe earlier) is a pretty specialist, niche offer and Neil and I (my business partner, Neil Wilson) weren't sure what uptake we would get.
We're nearly half way there and are about to push some friends in the industry to support (Dewar's and Glengoyne just ordered).
If you have ordered, thank you and please be patient; if you haven't ordered yet take advantage of Kevin's offer and grab a bit of history. These are lovely little books, I promise you.
And, if Kevin will forgive me plugging another whisky site, I have a little piece at www.singlemalt.tv talking about the books and reading from them. You have to subscribe at singlemalt.tv though, so you might want just to take my word for it (heh! heh!). Thanks again,
Ian Buxton

[Kevin Erskine]

I'm still having issues viewing singlemalt.tv.
Issues with support of Macintosh - so I never subscribed.

Anyone subscribed and watching?

I am eagerly awaiting the printing of Classic Expressions - AND I'm pretty sure I have a low number as well :)

[Ian Buxton]

I believe that the singlemalt.tv folk have run into the problem of software incompatability with media players on Macs and PCs (though don't ask me more, because I haven't the faintest idea!). It's a cool site, though I would say that wouldn't I?
Ian