ILLICIT WHISKY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21924, 8 April 1933, Page 8

ILLICIT WHISKY

RAID ON THE BOOTLEGGERS. Illicit whisky distilling in the north of England is being stamped out. Most of the bigger bootleggers have either been heavily fined and put out of action financially or have been sent to gaol. The evil has been more widespread than anyone would have imagined, but to Lancashire and Yorkshire belongs the distinction of being the centre of the pernicious trade in Britain. The majority of the persons found guilty of manufacturing these illegal spirits are aliens, principally from Poland and Russia. Illicit distillation is not carried out in ignorance of,the law, nor for sheer funThis is the reason why: An outlay of a shilling will yield 25 shillings profit. “ One extraordinary fact about it all, an excise official said recently, “is that the manufacture of the spirits takes place in attics and bedrooms, always under thoroughly unhygienic conditions.” The wash is made by dissolving malted grain or sugar—proper distillers use the first, illicit distillers the second. Yeast is added, and the mixture is left to stand for a few days. Fermentation takes place In duo course, the spirit is formed, and is then put in a still. The “ hootch ” is never allowed to, remain in proof for the three years’ period demanded under the Immature Spirits Act. It is always sold in its crude, unpurlfied form. This so-called whisky smells like ditch water and tastes worse. But it is being sold at six shillings a bottle.