Ah Mary, fine girl ye are! Now you’re talking my language! Sláinte agus saol chugat! (Health and long life to you) If you’re suggesting legal distilleries, then none! If you mean real Donegal Poitin, then most everywhere. Early 1800s . . . Poitin made up the entire spirit stock in Donegal shebeens and licensed publicans in towns also sold large quantities. While this was partly due to the demand for the mellower tasting illicit spirit, a more important consideration was the difference in price between it and the harsh-tasting "government whiskey." In 1808, when the wholesale price of a gallon of legal spirits was 8/-, Inishowen poitin could be obtained for between 4/-and 5/-; in 1810, the comparative prices were 4/6 and 9/-; and in 1816, 7/6 and 11/-. In 1823, when licensed distillers sold their product for 9/-a gallon, 6/- of this was duty. By contrast, the illicit distiller was content to receive about 3/- for his duty-free product, which the publican then sold for up to 5/-. Poitin was initially difficult to conceal, particularly in the period 1806 -1823, when the taste of government whiskey, manufactured hurriedly from raw corn, differed radically from the mellower, malt-based illicit spirit. But 1823 distilling law changes saw an increase in the amount of legal Scotch whisky available in Ireland and, as it and poitin had a similar taste, small legal purchases expanded miraculously behind Donegal public house counters. The quality of Scotch had caught up with that of Donegal poitin, which in turn owed much of its reputation to the skill of legal distillers of earlier days. Legal distillers had made whiskey for public consumption in Donegal since 1662. Initially, the distiller wasn't required to inform the authorities and, when discovered, simply reached an agreement with the revenue officer as to a fair amount to pay bi-annually in excise taxes. He could then manufacture as much as he wished. Presbyterians dominated the industry, at least in the period 1730-82. Very few Catholics distilled legally, in part because comparatively few lived within market towns' confines, in general because those who did invariably did not have the capital to begin such an operation. These legal Donegal distillers were a diverse group. Some were involved in the industry for decades. The Armstrong family, of Murlog near Lifford, distilled regularly in the period 1730-68, the Harrises of Ramelton, in the years 1748-69 and Henry Dinsmore of Dunfanaghy, from 1751 until 1768. Many had tempestuous relationships with local revenue officials. In 1733, Armstrong of Murlog had his nephew assault Strabane excise surveyor James Nugent, for "seizing aqua vitae from his distillery." The authorities convicted the nephew of assault and transported him as a vagabond. Five years later, Armstrong himself was convicted of shooting at another officer who wished to inspect his distillery. Etc. Etc. Céard a bhéas agat? (What’ll ye be having?) Sláinte Henry --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.580 / Virus Database: 367 - Release Date: 06/02/2004