A shortage of a key peated whisky ingredient could make Islay spirits even rarer. Peated malt, which gives select Scotches their distinctive smoky flavor, are becoming increasingly difficult for distilleries to locate.
Port Ellen Maltings, a historic facility on Islay, has provided peated malt to seven surrounding distilleries since 1973. It’s currently owned by spirits conglomerate Diageo, which uses the malt at some of its own distilleries.
