Opening Pubs in a Pandemic…or Not (Episode 826: July 5, 2020)

Bars and pubs have reopened in some areas after lockdowns to prevent the spread of Covid-19, only to be closed again when the number of cases spikes as people try to resume a normal life that includes having a drink at the local pub. Public health officials see bars as a prime vector for the spread of the virus, and that will have a long-term impact on bar owners as well as their customers. H. Joseph Ehrmann has owned Elixir, the popular San Francisco whisky bar, for 17 years and is waiting for local and state officials to work out their differences before he reopens – though he already has plans in place to try and give his regulars something close to their pre-pandemic experience. We’ll talk with him on WhiskyCast In-Depth.

In the news, pubs have now reopened in Ireland, England, and Northern Ireland as police say it’s virtually impossible to ensure social distancing. We’ll also have details on a new distillery project in Scotland that’s moving ahead with construction after months of Covid-19 delays, the week’s new whiskies, and something special – a song from the Whisky Bard himself, Robin Laing!

Links: Elixir | Gordon & MacPhail | Diageo | Prima & Ultima Collection | The Macallan | The Lakes Distillery | Bimber Distillery | Loch Lomond | Wyoming Whiskey | Sagamore Spirit | RobinLaing.com | The Last Drop | International Whisky Competition | International Wine & Spirit Competition | Canadian Whisky Awards