Lagavulin owner Diageo has started consultations to cut 22 jobs across its Scotch malt whisky distilleries. Lagavulin is part of the Diageo Scotch whisky portfolio The move aims to create a "more flexible operating model" for the group, whose Scotch malt whisky brands include Talisker, Mortlach and Oban. A Diageo spokesperson said: "We continually review all aspects of our operations to ensure we are set up in the most agile and efficient way. "We have been sharing a new, more flexible operating model proposal with our distillery employees, which could mean the removal of 22 roles from the current 550 roles across our malt distilling footprint. "As a result, we have now commenced a consultation process with our people and their representatives." In August, Diageo reported an 8.4% organic net sales decline for the year ending 30 June 2020. The company's Scotch whisky portfolio saw organic net sales drop 17%, with blended Scotch brand Johnnie Walker reporting a 22% decline.