Paul was chatting to Willie Tait, of Jura Distillery.

Willie, Many thanks for agreeing to our interview, much appreciated.

Q; You are not Distillery manager any longer at Jura, but can you give us a wee insight into what it was like when you were?

A; I lived on Jura for 25 years and I was the manager for 15 years, still the longest serving Manager. Being the Manager was the best thing that ever happened to me and my family. Making the Jura whisky was a real pleasure and just being a part of the Jura history was the greatest part of my career.

Q; How was it passing over the manager role to Willie Cochrane?

A; Sorry I didn’t pass the role too Willie, but Mickey Heads who is now at Ardbeg, he was my successor. Willie is now the Manager and is doing such a fantastic job.

Q; You now travel the world on behalf of Jura, what a hard job you have, but is it so hard?

A; Tasting and telling the world about Jura whisky is certainly not hard work, but the travel can be hard at times.

Q; What is most the enjoyable thing you do in your work?

A; I enjoy the pleasure people get from tasting whisky that I have made, not many can say that.

Q; Travelling worldwide, what has been the most exciting country?

A; I love working in the USA, saying that I find all countries exciting.

Q; Do you always look forward to returning to Scotland?

A; Home is always home and it’s always great to get back.

Q; In the Whyte & Mackay portfolio there are many drinks, not just whisky. Do you have to taste these also?

A; I have tasted some wonderful whiskies, saying that I always return to my Jura 16yr, best dram for me.

Q; Is there a favourite of yours in all these drinks?

A; I laid down a cask in 1989 and put into bottle last year, and yes it’s a wonderful dram.

Q; Finally, how do you see the whisky industry advancing in the coming years?

A; I have been in this business for 38 years now and I think its in good hands for the future.

Many thanks for the chat Willie, hopefully we shall meet up again at a whisky festival somewhere! – slainte!

Jura distillery can be found at; www.isleofjura.com  www.whyteandmackay.com

Diurachs is the Gaelic word for the people of Jura. Proud of their land and their whisky, they will gladly bend the ear of anyone willing to take the time to listen. They are a small and close-knit community of less than 200, united by the island we love and the warmth of its people. With a dram of the good stuff in hand, they toast the health of friends near and far. Life doesn’t get any better. So why not become an honorary Diurach and join their community?

Paul is already a Diurach and many of the people he takes to the isle are also, why not become one yourself? www.isleofjura.com/diurachs.aspx

Paul McLean

www.angelswhiskyclub.com