The distilled spirit Whiskey has been associated with Scotland and Ireland for Hundreds of years. Whiskey is brewed in both countries and regularly drunk in homes and Pubs. In Ireland Whiskey is often drunk as a “chaser” to Irish Stout, and an Irish Coffee made with Irish Whiskey and fresh cream is a drink not to be missed. The earliest record of distilling Whiskey in Scotland appeared in the Exchequer Rolls as long ago as 1494. “Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make “aqua vitae”-water of Life (Latin)

This was sufficient to produce almost 1500 bottles. By this time distilling was almost certainly an established practise among the Scottish peoples.

According to Legend St Patrick introduced distilling to Ireland in the fifth century AD. It is believed that the secrets of the distilling process were introduced to Scotland some 1500 years ago when settlers from Ireland began to populate the west coast of Scotland which they named Dalriada - which is now Argyll.

Known as “Usque Baugh” in Scotland and “Uisce Beatha” in Ireland, in both languages the names translate as “Water of Life”. Whiskey was commonly made in monasteries, and chiefly used for medicinal purposes, being prescribed for the preservation of health, and a general cure-all. There were monastic distilleries in Ireland in the late-12th century.

The spirit’s perceived medicinal benefits were formally endorsed when, in Edinburgh in 1505, the Guild of Surgeon Barbers was granted a monopoly over the manufacture of “aqua vitae” – reflecting the practice of barbers undertaking minor medical procedures.

In 1661 all private distillation not specificlly licenced by state was outlawed. This law included Scottish and Irish moonshine. To evade the authorities many stills were set up in ancient cairns; burial chambers known as Faerie hills. Others took their equipment to islands in the middle of lakes, the better to see the authories coming.

Meanwhile the brewing of beer was becoming a major buisness. The English then introduced a penal law at the begining of the 18th century, that stopped breweries importing hops from anywhere but England, which mean’t that suppiers could charge whatever they liked. Higher taxes were levied on Irish beer exported to England, while English beer sold to Ireland got a reduced rate.

In response to these new laws the Irish, paricularly the poor began to distill more their own Moonshine (Poteen). It provided income for the distiller and solace for the community. In the face of their misfortunes the Irish poor had a continued appetite for music and dancing, their exuberance fueled by the sudden availabilty of Poteen.

In 1770, the Crown tried once more to clamp down on this spirited trade. By kingly writ of George III, the making of Poitin became illegal. With the flourish of a pen, most of the inhabitants of Eire became instant criminals.

Scotch whisky distilleries could become officially licensed in 1822 (re: licensed by the British government under the Illicit Disillation (Scotland) Act), many refused to do so simply because they felt they were being taxed against their will. The highlanders at this point were mostly gaelic speakers who kept out of the way of government agents and revenue collectors. As distillation was outlawed by the English government, “sheep dip” became slang for Scottish moonshine.

Folklore and Faeries

Leprechaun are frequently to be found in an intoxicated state, caused by home-brew Poteen. However they never become so drunk that the hand which holds the hammer becomes unsteady and their shoemaker’s work affected. Occasionally, especially after a wee bit too much Poteen, he will offer a human not only a drink but some of his treasure.

Poteen made in faerie hills was seen as magical. It was used as a cure for painfull rheumatic joints, one half cup given to the ill person morning and night was said to cure all ailments.

Poteen was said to especailly potent if a housewife left fresh cream and bread by the fairy mound at night and petitioned the faeries for a cure for illness, More often than not a cup of Poteen would be found outside the door,left by the faeries to heal the sick. Whiskey or Poteen made from water from faerie springs or wells also gave the spirit healing properties and was widely used by wise women in medicinal cures.

Be cautious about leaving Faeries your own whisky or Poteen…Traditionally faeries love alcohol, but can become rowdy and dangerous when drinking.

Drinking Whiskey on a Faerie Knoe in Scotland is said to call the faeries to you, and they’ll give you a wish in return for a sip of your whisky, Allow them too much and you’ll end up a permanent guest in Faerieland.

If you would like to know more about Whiskey, join our friends Jeff, Chip, & Michael at The Scotchcast as they discuss and taste “The Water of Life”

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