distillery

They added: "This unusual quality situation has come at a bad time, with distilleries rapidly scaling back whisky production, and a high global grain supply depressing prices around the world."

In part, bourbon has become a victim of its own success - the rise in bourbon sales, and the growth of the premium market, helped fuel many small distilleries.

In Speyside, the Scotsman newspaper reports that several whisky distilleries have shut down summer production early due to low water levels on the River Spey.

Local media reported extensive damage to a number of houses and at least one distillery, with some residents saying they had been unable to return to see if their property had been damaged.

This is why distilleries are paying close attention to projections that suggest there will be double the frequency of low river flow events by 2050.