Bad Whisky

An insight into Victorian scandal that enveloped the public houses of Britain when whisky was adulterated before sale to public, eventually resulting in changes in the law to create modern-day, legal Scotch whisky. This title unravels the scandal which eventually resulted in laws being passed which created safeguards for what is known as Scotch.

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This book is a unique insight into the Victorian scandal which raged at the turn of the century surrounding the adulteration of whisky in public houses throughout the UK. Returning to contemporary press reports and Hansard, the author masterfully unravels the scandal which eventually resulted in laws being passed which created safeguards for what is now known the world over as Scotch. The extent of adulteration were widespread with additives such as meths, shellac gum, sulphuric acid, and boot polish. "The North British Daily Mail" took up the fight against the practice when, out of 30 samples of 'whisky' taken out of public houses, only two were found to be whisky. With some of the most prominent figures in Scottish public life joining the fray, the battle was on to clear up Scotch.