Barrelling Their Way to Success-

First Ever Female Whisky Apprentices

Now regular readers will know that I am partial to a dram and so I am always interested in news from the industry that produces the nectar. And I am pleased also that the industry is embracing our 21st century with female apprentices being accepted into that male bastion of coopering, barrel making to you and me. Two women have been accepted as coopering apprentices by Diageo for the first time.  When I mention Diageo I am of course supposed to call them a ‘drinks giant,’ because like other giants they have gobbled up large parts of the business and brands. The two women in their 30s are part of a group of 16 new apprentices, will be taught over the next four years the ancient craft of creating oak casks for whisky at Diageo's Coopering School in Cambus, Clackmananshire.

Barrel Role

Coopering is an intensely exact skill and a heavy job to get into, but it also looks like a Celtic invention. The barrel as we know it today was most likely developed by the Celts. Did you know that from around 350 BC the Celts used watertight, barrel-shaped wooden containers that were able to withstand stress and they could be rolled and stacked.  It is amazing that for 2,000 years, barrels were the most convenient form of shipping or storage. No wonder Coopers were held in high esteem. And they didn’t just use them to for wine and beer. No so many kinds of goods were stored, food and nails and coins to name but a few things. Indeed when Admiral Nelson was killed at Trafalgar they stuffed him into a brandy barrel plus the brandy to preserve him all the way home.

Created in 1890 and Aged to Perfection

Now here at James Pirie we are big on quality and sharp on price and we have a tremendous range of whisky gifts. Check out the five star customer rated Royal Scot Crystal - Flower of Scotland 2 Large Tumblers all in a presentation box. It is currently on at half price and the thistle design is a beauty- all to add to your pleasure when taking a dram.

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