Whisky Dream

For former wine merchant Mark Reynier, business partner Simon Coughlin, master distiller Jim McEwan and sales and marketing guru Andrew Gray, putting the world-famous Bruichladdich distillery back on its feet after seven years of silent mash tuns was the stuff of dreams. Yet thanks to endless reserves of energy, enthusiasm and humour, they made their dream a reality, and in 2001 Bruichladdich was back in business.

Spurred on by this success, Mark turned his attention to Port Charlotte, another of Islay’s moribund malts, and with an equal application of vigour and determination, brought it back from the brink. But the road to success was not easy. Armed robberies, a lost Royal Navy submarine, alcoholic dogs, suspicious salad cream bottles, the CIA and the problem of trying to find £4 million in a matter of weeks were just some of the things that conspired to thwart the enterprise.

Whisky Dream is the inspiring and entertaining story of this venture, a testament to what vision and dedication can achieve in the face of adversity, as well as a marvellous celebration of the reincarnation of two of the world’s most famous Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

Stuart Rivans was educated at Bearsden Academy before attending Glasgow University and completing a post-graduate diploma in journalism at Strathclyde University. He has produced numerous projects for BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Scotland, STV, Grampian TV and Channel 4. He is a former freelance writer for The Scotsman, Sunday Herald, Evening Times and Big Issue.