THE operators of a new distillery and visitor centre on Islay will have their application for a provisional licence to sell alcohol at the attraction heard next week.
Elixir Distillers Ltd have applied for the provisional licence for the Portintruan Distillery, at Port Ellen, which is expected to open by this summer.
On sales are proposed from 10am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 11pm on Sunday, with off sales 10am to 10pm seven days a week.
The Argyll and Bute licensing board will hear the application at its meeting on Tuesday, April 21.
A statement by the applicants said: “The premises form part of a recently constructed brand new distillery and visitor centre comprising a bar, restaurant, retail shop and other visitor areas. The building is a two-storey commercial premises with public access via the main entrance lobby.
“Inside the premises include a bar and restaurant area providing seated dining and drinking facilities [and] tasting rooms and areas to be used for guided whisky tastings and visitor activities.
“[They also include] A retail shop selling bottled spirits and distillery merchandise and cigars; including a defined area for the display of alcohol for off-sales and a humidor for cigars; circulation spaces including reception, exhibition area and accessible customer toilets [and] designated tour areas forming part of the visitor experience (licensed for consumption only in specified areas defined in the plan – one off moments).
“The premises are intended to operate as a visitor-focused hospitality and retail environment, offering on-sales within the bar/restaurant/tasting areas and off-sales within the retail shop as shown on the layout plan.
“The touristic season on Islay runs from March through to October. There are often pop-up whisky tastings and events which may be organised during this time. Weddings and other such occasions are more prone to happen during the busier months.”
A report by a licensing standards officer said: “Portintruan is a new distillery and visitor centre constructed on Islay. The premises consists of a bar, restaurant, retail shop and distillery that will offer guided tours and tastings.
“Elixir Distillers have a wealth of experience within the industry and hope to add to the overall whisky experience on Islay with the new distillery and visitor centre.”
