A trip to Scotland would not be complete without stopping by a distillery, of course, that is if you are of age and enjoy that delicious drink. While staying in a Dunkeld hotel last summer, I had the chance of a lifetime not only to visit a local distillery to see how whisky was produced, but also the opportunity to speak with some of the most informative individuals on the subject.
Although I will not be able to provide you with all the information that I gathered on my trip, I will give you a brief outline.
Whisky, deriving from what is commonly referred to as uisge beatha, was originally intended for medicinal purposes; if you take many of the products that we have now and examine their history, this begins to be a common trend with many of them. It was thought to preserve health, in small quantities. Eventually, like so many other things, whisky became a very intrinsic part of Scottish life. It was a method to get through the long, harsh winters that the country once experienced. Eventually, due to its growing popularity, the government began to tax malt, a key ingredient in the distillation process. For many years, this was a very profitable source of revenue for the government.
Although the information that I have provided you only begins to examine the history and influence of whisky, hopefully it has sparked an interest in you. While you can conduct your own research on whisky from your home, there is no better way to educate yourself than first hand experience. Thus, reserve one of the short breaks Scotland hotels that the country is well known for and get out there and explore everything that Scotland has to offer. I am sure that you will find yourself in a world of wonder and excitement.
No comments:
Post a Comment