The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom and other whisky writings by Alfred Barnard with introduction by Richard Joynson

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This is the latest reprint of the famous Barnard tome first published in 1887. However, it is much more than just another reprint since it brings together, for the first time, all of the whisky writings of the great chronicler in a single volume. This is a milestone event in whisky publishing and Birlinn are to be congratulated for having the wit and initiative to locate the material and then to deliver it up in such a delightful way. The 6 additional pieces bring us a further 174 pages of Barnard's whisky prose and illustrations. Each would originally have been in some form of booklet and extracts may have appeared in "Harper's Weekly Gazette" and whilst there was undoubtedly a promotional objective in writing most of them, they are, nevertheless,significant additions to our stock of knowedge of the industry in the late 19 th century. The first addition, under the title "Willie Brewed a Peck o" Maut" or "A Run through some Famous Scotch Distilleries" covers Bunnahabhain on Islay, Glen Rothes - Glenlivet, Tamdhu - Glenlivet and Glenglassaugh distilleries. The common denominator is that they were all, at the time, owned by the Highland Distilleries Company (and are now owned by Highland Distillers Ltd.) which, curiously enough, was formed in the year Barnard's main book was published. And, of course, Tamdhu did not exist then, opening only in 1897. This would place the date of his visits at 1898 or 1899 as Barnard makes references to being in the 19th century and to sampling the Tamdhu make. And so we can compare what Barnard had to say originally about the other three distilleries with what he had to say some 13 or 14 years later. The second piece is a reproduction of a straightforward promotional publication for John Walker & Sons of Kilmarnock and London. However, it is unusual in that it gives a detailed description of the blending and bottling operations at Kilmarnock, whereas Barnard was much more comfortable in the still-house! The photographic material adds great depth to his somewhat sparse descriptions of these more mundane activities. But then he is back in his element with chapters on Cardow (Cardhu) and Annandale distilleries. The London head office rates a single page plus a couple of photographs! Another of the reprints is "How to Blend Scotch Whisky" which was clearly sponsored by Mackie & Co (of White Horse fame). Curiously, it contains a brief chapter on Laphroaig Distillery (as well as longer ones on - no surprise - Lagavulin and Craigellechie distilleries). The distinct impression is given that Laphroaig is owned by Mackie and Co., which, of course, it never was, although the latter were successfully to act as agents for Laphroaig for nearly 60 years. The other publications which are reproduced are: "Dalmore - a Celebrated Highland Distillery"; "Royal Gordon Whisky" which covers the premises of Pattison, Elder & Co in Leith and a linked publication on Glenfraclas Distillery, which was, until 1898, 50% owned by the famous Leith firm until it went into receivership that year. The canny Grants of Ballindalloch have wisely kept control ever since! Altogether a magnificent omnibus of early whisky literature to dip into or in which to become totally submerged. The stand-out difference between the original Barnard work and the later offerings is the fact that the latter are heavily peppered with contemporary photographs, whereas the earlier Barnard had to make do with pen and ink. A free download of the chapter on the "orphan" distilleries of Ardgowan, Gartloch and Bellfield is available when buying this book.

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