U.K. distillery accidentally flushes whisky into sewer
A 2006 file photo of a wee dram of whisky poured during the Chivas Snow Golf Championship in St. Moritz, Switzerland. / Getty Images
LONDON A massive spill at a Chivas plant has sent the smell of spirits flowing through a Scottish sewer and sorrow coursing through the hearts of Scotch whisky fans.
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Chivas Brothers Ltd. spokeswoman Jennifer Stevenson says the group is investigating what she described as an "accidental loss" of spirit at the company's bottling plant in Dumbarton, Scotland on Feb. 26.
She declined to estimate how much of the bulk whisky had been lost, saying only that it was less than the 4,755 gallons mentioned in media reports.
BBC News reported that workers who were cleaning equipment during the night shift on Tuesday accidentally flushed away thousands of liters of whisky instead of waste water.
Bulk whisky can be used in various ways, and it wasn't immediately clear which Chivas brand the liquid was meant to fill.
Stevenson said Friday she did not want to comment on the spill's circumstances until the company had completed its investigation.
A company statement said, "There has been no release of spirit to the River Leven or any other local water course. We have informed Scottish Water and all other relevant authorities."
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What a shameful waste of fine whiskey, Chivas Regal!
This creature was born in a septic tank! It smelled like garbage but had a heart of Gold.... Mebbe this is what started him.....