The Epidii were a people of ancient Britain, known from a mention of them by the geographer Ptolemy c. 150. Epidion has been identified as the island of Islay in what is now Argyll. Ptolemy does not list a township for the Epidii but the Ravenna Cosmography (RC 108.4) mentions Rauatonium, which is thought [...]
This is a book by Charles MacLean and Daniel MacCannell, compiled and edited by Marc Ellington, published by Birlinn. Daniel explores the history of the illicit distilling and smuggling of whisky in Scotland from the 18th century onwards, with tales of whisky gangs, the involvement of women and girls in the trade, and the [...]
The story of Teacher’s whisky dates back to more than 175 years, when the new ‘Excise Act’ was introduced and William Teacher was a 19 year old, former cotton mill worker with an uncompromising attitude and whole barrelful of self belief. The 1823 Excise Act altered the shape of the spirits industry. Only around [...]
Trying to Hyde my feelings The HYDE family have been involved in the Irish drinks business for over twelve generations since 1640. HYDE is presidential quality Irish whiskey named in honour of Ireland’s very first president Douglas Hyde. President Hyde was an inspirational figure who helped to define Ireland’s national identity. Now then, on [...]
Let me start with the one closest to where I live … Eden Mill, who are producing already near St Andrews, revealed plans for a carbon neutral single malt whisky distillery. The £10 million plan will bring visitors to their home in Guardbridge, St. Andrews in 2022. Their land is within the University of [...]
Wideford Distillery - Wideford Distillery was located about two miles from Kirkwall on the slopes of Wideford Hill and on the Burn of Hatston, which was likely its' water source. Wideford was licensed to Mr W. Traill in 1813 and he distilled there until its closure in 1825. In 1825 it closed, cannee find [...]
Paul donders on here about one of his favourite places; Tullibardine Distillery was built in 1949 and sits at the foot of the Ochil Hills right on the line where the highlands of Scotland begin just half an hour from ma hoose. The water source for this distillery is the surrounding hills where they [...]
St Margaret's, in Aberlour, will unveil the St Margaret of Scotland bottling at this May's Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Just 260 bottles of the cask strength single malt from Auchroisk will be available, each signed and numbered. The whisky, chosen unanimously at a blind tasting by a panel of experts, celebrates the life [...]
Ask Liz if she would like a dram, of say Laphroaig, she will make a strange noise and pull a face. She cannee stand the smell of a peaty whisky, never mind taste. This is a goal in life – by hook or by crook I will get her drinking/liking peaty drams. The key [...]
Being biased doesn’t exclude our taste in whisky. Some people say they dislike a certain brand or style, based on a previous experience. Tasting “blind” refers to tasting without knowledge of a whisky’s identity and is a great way to become a better 'taster', develop your senses, and learn more about your own whisky [...]
