Glen Mhor Log Book 15th May 1943

 

Back to the research after a wee family break and a return to 1943 and the war restrictions.

This particular entry is fascinating as it is shows us the internal workings of Customs & Excise when it comes to excess spirit and how this was accounted for and registered. 

While a prior entry showed us that the feints at Glen Albyn were taken across the road to Glen Mhor for distillation, the former had no such option when it was mothballed due to the restrictions. Speaking with Alan Winchester prior about this situation, he suggested the most likely course of action was to put the liquid into casks until another opportunity presented itself.

With Glen Mhor closing on 26th March 1943, it seems that within a couple of months, the remaining feints were put to use in a one-off run...

'Honourable Sirs,

946.2 proof gallons of debonding? feints have been re-distilled and the quantity of spirits produced there from is 566.5 proof gallons.

Your obedient servant

G.W. Peterkin, officer

Glen Mhor

The Honourable

Commissioners of Customs & Excise

London

Revised allocation of surplus spirits produced (656.6 + 566.5 = 1223.1 overproduced minus (598.6 - 363.4 = 235.2 feints remaining) = 987.9 for pro-rata division between Mackinlays & Birnie 1942 quota to be ??? on behalf of Littlemill Disitllery Co. Ltd., Maclachlans Ltd, Auchentoshan 

Mackinlays & Birnie 1942 quota 53,346.50 (pro rata division 816.7)

Littlemill Distillery Ltd 10,000 (pro rata division 153.1)

Total manufacturer on behalf of Maclachlans Ltd 1,181.0 (pro rata division 18.1)

Total 64,527.5 (pro rata 987.9)

Suggested allocation of the excess production of Glen Mhor Distillery agreed to by the Commissioner?'

Without digging too much into the figures, we can see this bonus distillation being counted as excess and placed against the prior excess noted in March 1943. What's also interesting is that we see the other companies with an excess and familiar names such as Auchentoshan and Littlemill appearing. Maclachlans were a blender best known for age statements and the Five Castle range. 

I would presume this distillation resulted in a lower quantity of excess feints residing in the distillery, that would have been put into cask/s and put aside for another opportunity to distil when the restrictions were lifted. 

This Log Book comes from the Highland Archives Centre (HCA/D31/4/1/25) and is watermarked for its protection. As with any images on this website, please ask first before using and always give credit.