| The Water of Life Scotch Whisky Irish Whiskey |
Possibly the most important book ever to be published on the subject of whisky is Alfred Barnard's classic "The Whisky
Distilleries of the United Kingdom". In the mid-80s of the 19th century, Barnard and several companions undertook an
extraordinary journey - utilising every mode of transport available at the time, from steamer to horse drawn carriage, they
traveled the length and width of the United Kingdom in order to visit every whisky distillery they could. The commission for
this journey came from Harper's Weekly Gazette, who subsequently published Barnard's book in 1887.
Alfred Barnard began his journey in the spring of 1885 and ended his travels toward the end of the following year having
visited and chronicled an amazing 129 distilleries in Scotland, 28 in Ireland and four in England. In reading his book, three
things become evident. For one, Barnard openly loved the scenery presented to him in his travels. Secondly his enthusiasm
for whisky and the distilling industry and finally, his interest and attention to the technical details of production. His
historical and technical chronicles are invaluable when looking at whisky making in the late 19th century.
To give you a flavour of the book, here is the introduction to his visit to the Ardbeg distillery:
RESUMING our journey in pursuit of Distilleries, we left the vast Whisky centre, Campbeltown, at the early hour of six in
the morning, bound for the port of Tarbert, to catch the boat to Islay. The air was crisp and the first few hours of the long
drive chilly, but the morning sun soon filled our hearts with gladness, and we were nabled once aain to enjoy the delightful
scenery through which we passed and which has been described in a former chapter. Upon due arrival at West Tarbert we
boarded the steamer bound for Port Ellen, a journey occupying some hours, yet withal rendered pleasant by weather that
was all that could be desired. Tired and hungry after our long day we were glad to reach our destination, and immediately
on landing proceeded to the "White Hart Inn " where for several days we took up our quarters, and found the
accommodation excellent and the attendants obliging.
The next morning we were early astir exploring the town and sea-shore, after which we partook of a substantial breakfast
and started on our way to Ardbeg, distant four miles. The road mostly followed the coast line, but frequently a turn
brought. us almost to the water's edge. The shore is mostly rocky and dangerous, in many places huge masses of rock rise
from the surface of the sea, forming tiny islets round and over which the swell rises and falls in impressive grandeur. Every
now and then as we d rove along, the scene assumed a new aspect; now we would come suddenly upon some little
picturesque bay fringed with fantastic and peculiar shaped rocks, or ascending a gentle hill some inland view of green
slopes and heather covered hills would reveal itself, which lent a happy contrast to the wild sea-girt shore. Nearly all the
way we had in sight the opposite coast of Kintyre, and. almost fancied we could distinguish the long coach road to Tarbert
which we had traversed the day before. journeying along we were continually reminded by the ruins of castles and churches
that we were on one of the most historic islands of Scotland, in the land of romance and the home of the " Lords of the
Isles," rendered classic by one of Sir Walter Scott's finest poems.
As we reached the top of a hill, a sudden view of beautiful Ardbeg, presented itself to view and recalled our minds from
romantic wanderings. The Ardbeg Distillery is situated on the south-east coast of the island, in a lonely spot on the very
verge of the sea, and its isolation tends to heighten a the romantic sense of its position. It was established in the year 1815,
but long previous to that date it was a noted haunt of smugglers. For many years the supervisors had been searching for
this nest of illicit traffickers without success; most of the band were known by sight, and endeavours had long been made to
catch them when out in their~ boats. At length the spot where they carried on their nefarious practices was discovered, but
the band was too strong for an open attack; however, one day, when the party were absent with a cargo of whisky, a raid
was made and the place destroyed after a seizure of a large amount of the illicit spirit. As it was impossible to procure other
vessels, and finding, their occupation gone, the whole band was scattered, and most of them migrated to the Kintyre shores.
The site of their operations was shortly after occupied by the founders of Ardbeg Distillery who chose it on account of the
water, the chief characteristics of which arc its softness and purity; it is obtained from Lochs Arinambeast and Uigidale.
Distilleries of the United Kingdom". In the mid-80s of the 19th century, Barnard and several companions undertook an
extraordinary journey - utilising every mode of transport available at the time, from steamer to horse drawn carriage, they
traveled the length and width of the United Kingdom in order to visit every whisky distillery they could. The commission for
this journey came from Harper's Weekly Gazette, who subsequently published Barnard's book in 1887.
Alfred Barnard began his journey in the spring of 1885 and ended his travels toward the end of the following year having
visited and chronicled an amazing 129 distilleries in Scotland, 28 in Ireland and four in England. In reading his book, three
things become evident. For one, Barnard openly loved the scenery presented to him in his travels. Secondly his enthusiasm
for whisky and the distilling industry and finally, his interest and attention to the technical details of production. His
historical and technical chronicles are invaluable when looking at whisky making in the late 19th century.
To give you a flavour of the book, here is the introduction to his visit to the Ardbeg distillery:
RESUMING our journey in pursuit of Distilleries, we left the vast Whisky centre, Campbeltown, at the early hour of six in
the morning, bound for the port of Tarbert, to catch the boat to Islay. The air was crisp and the first few hours of the long
drive chilly, but the morning sun soon filled our hearts with gladness, and we were nabled once aain to enjoy the delightful
scenery through which we passed and which has been described in a former chapter. Upon due arrival at West Tarbert we
boarded the steamer bound for Port Ellen, a journey occupying some hours, yet withal rendered pleasant by weather that
was all that could be desired. Tired and hungry after our long day we were glad to reach our destination, and immediately
on landing proceeded to the "White Hart Inn " where for several days we took up our quarters, and found the
accommodation excellent and the attendants obliging.
The next morning we were early astir exploring the town and sea-shore, after which we partook of a substantial breakfast
and started on our way to Ardbeg, distant four miles. The road mostly followed the coast line, but frequently a turn
brought. us almost to the water's edge. The shore is mostly rocky and dangerous, in many places huge masses of rock rise
from the surface of the sea, forming tiny islets round and over which the swell rises and falls in impressive grandeur. Every
now and then as we d rove along, the scene assumed a new aspect; now we would come suddenly upon some little
picturesque bay fringed with fantastic and peculiar shaped rocks, or ascending a gentle hill some inland view of green
slopes and heather covered hills would reveal itself, which lent a happy contrast to the wild sea-girt shore. Nearly all the
way we had in sight the opposite coast of Kintyre, and. almost fancied we could distinguish the long coach road to Tarbert
which we had traversed the day before. journeying along we were continually reminded by the ruins of castles and churches
that we were on one of the most historic islands of Scotland, in the land of romance and the home of the " Lords of the
Isles," rendered classic by one of Sir Walter Scott's finest poems.
As we reached the top of a hill, a sudden view of beautiful Ardbeg, presented itself to view and recalled our minds from
romantic wanderings. The Ardbeg Distillery is situated on the south-east coast of the island, in a lonely spot on the very
verge of the sea, and its isolation tends to heighten a the romantic sense of its position. It was established in the year 1815,
but long previous to that date it was a noted haunt of smugglers. For many years the supervisors had been searching for
this nest of illicit traffickers without success; most of the band were known by sight, and endeavours had long been made to
catch them when out in their~ boats. At length the spot where they carried on their nefarious practices was discovered, but
the band was too strong for an open attack; however, one day, when the party were absent with a cargo of whisky, a raid
was made and the place destroyed after a seizure of a large amount of the illicit spirit. As it was impossible to procure other
vessels, and finding, their occupation gone, the whole band was scattered, and most of them migrated to the Kintyre shores.
The site of their operations was shortly after occupied by the founders of Ardbeg Distillery who chose it on account of the
water, the chief characteristics of which arc its softness and purity; it is obtained from Lochs Arinambeast and Uigidale.
Dimple Scots - John Haig & Co. Scotch Whisky, circa 1937
A well preserved pre-war bottling of this famous brand, label
marked "By Appointment to his Late Majesty King George V".
Classic pinch bottle, sprung metal cap.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Price: £125
A well preserved pre-war bottling of this famous brand, label
marked "By Appointment to his Late Majesty King George V".
Classic pinch bottle, sprung metal cap.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Price: £125
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(at current exchange rates this equates to approximately USD $250 or
EUR €155).
The price of £125 INCLUDES worldwide expedited shipping, there are
no additional costs.
We guarantee safe arrival of all bottles, and will refund any bottle lost
in transit.
EUR €155).
The price of £125 INCLUDES worldwide expedited shipping, there are
no additional costs.
We guarantee safe arrival of all bottles, and will refund any bottle lost
in transit.