1892 Drinks of the world

DRINICS.

iSo

"Fhairhson had a son

Who married Noah's daughter^ And nearly spoiled ta flood, By trinking up ta water ; Which he would have done, I at least pelieve it, Had ta mixture peen Only half Glenlivet " ?

It was such a famous place that, according to the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland^ there were as many as 200 illicit stills there, in brisk work, at the begin- ning of the present century. ''Small still" whiskey is undoubtedly the best, for only good materials can be used, as the distillation carries over the flavour of the malt. Hear what Dr. Thudicum says^ : " The product of the patent still derives its name from the fact that it is mere alcohol and water, having no distinctive qualities, telling no tales to nose or palate of the source from which it was obtained, and hence, in the almost poetic spirit of the trade, it is commonly called 'silent spirit.' The owner of a patent still, instead of being confined, like a whiskey distiller, to the use of the best materials, is able to make his spirit from any, even spoiled and waste, materials, and with little reference to any other quality than cheapness. The worst of the spirit thus produced is fit only for methylation, preparatory for being used for trade purposes, exclusive of consumption as a beverage. When intended for a beverage, it must be rectified and flavoured. It thus serves as a basis

1 Alcoholic Drinks^ 1884, p. 67.