The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom

by Alfred Barnard

Around 1885, Alfred Barnard was secretary of Harper’s Weekly Gazette , a journal dedicated to the wine and spirit trade. In order to provide his readers with the history and descriptions of the whisky-making process, Barnard decided to visit each distillery in Scotland, England and Ireland. Accompanied by friends, he visited over 150 distilleries. The names found in his reports still excite the dedicated whisky connoisseur today, as well as others whose fame has faded at the turn of the 19th century. The appeal of Barnard’s book lies not only in the technical descriptions of each distillery’s processes, but also in the colourful descriptions of his journeys, brimming with historical colour and detail. A superbly illustrated facsimile edition, with over 200 engravings, this book is a complete guide to the origins of Scotland’s national drink, as well as a lively picture of life and travel in the Victorian age. This new revised edition has finally gathered together all of Alfred Barnard’s writings on the whisky distilleries of the United Kingdom, making it the definitive collection on the subject. The new material that has been added ‘A Visit to Pattison & Elder & Cos, Leith, and Glenfarclas-Glenlivet Distillery’, ‘Willie Brewed a Peck o’ A Run Through Some Famous Scotch Bunnahabhain Islay; Glen Rothes-Glenlivet; Tamdhu-Glenlivet & Glenglassaugh Banffshire’, ‘John Walker and Sons’, ‘How to Blend Scotch Whisky’, and ‘Dalmore’.

Genres: Travel

528 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Ewan Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable book of our distilling heritage, we’d be lost without it, not a story book more reference material for the whisky buffs, Michael Moss who writes introduction is a living legend

[Wolfe Tone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful historical document and an inspiration to all whisky writers and lovers.

[Jorgen Lundgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about whisky distilleries and their surroundings back in the days. A book I dip in and out of all depending on the wee dram I'm having.