Glen Albyn Distillery Logbook 2nd February 1928

 

Following a couple of entries that highlighted the external facets of the Exciseman position, this February entry takes us back inside the distillery.

For those unfamiliar with this research, I have a strong connection with Gilbert W. Peterkin, as he later took on the same role at Glen Mhor distillery, where we chronicled the latter part of his career through its dedicated log pages. We can trust his expertise, given his previous experience, which is marked by meticulous attention to detail and adaptability - the latter quality that often contrasts with the typical portrayal of excisemen we've encountered in other narratives.

Once again my thanks to the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness and HMRC for making this information available for public consumption and debate by interested parties such as myself. 

'Glen Albyn 

Excise Logbook 

File No. 12277

Enclosure No. 97

2nd February 1928

Customs Excise

Glen Albyn Distillery

Inverness

Honourable Sirs,

In accordance with Appendix C. of the Warehousing Code, I have to report an application for repayment of duty on Plain British Spirits lost by accident in transit under bond as follows:

(1) Mackinlay & Birnie, Glen Albyn Distillery, Inverness (enclose 1)

(2) One cask of Plain British Spirits No.442 from the year 1922.

(3) 0.89 British gallons

(4) Duty £32:5:3 paid by Mackinlay & Birnie on a/c 1/15:7:27

(5) Removed from Glen Albyn Distillery, Inverness, by Mackinlay's & Birnie on 1st July 1927.

(6) No.1 W/house ??? Kilmarnock conceived to John Walker, received 5th July 1927. Re-examined 5th July 1927.

(7) Copy of dispatch account (enclosure amended?)

(8) Copy of certificate of receipt (enclosure ???)

(9) More on accident not given to Customs & Excise office for ??? (possibly Kilmarnock rep)

(10) Explanation of failure to give immediate notice to accident (enclosure 26). Distiller served with copy of notice 51 on 6th March 1923?

(11) 24 affordants annexed

(12) no affordants wanting

(13) cask sound and in good condition on delivery (see officer's report, enclosure 27) at 11.27pm on 1st July 1927, which the goods train conveying the whisky was standing at Perth, it was run into from the rear by a night engine with the result that cask 442 had two bilged bung staves and 2nd chipped. The accident could have been avoided (see enclosure 7)

The 2nd July being a holiday, no Customs Excise officer could be found and two police detectives took charge of the cask until it coopered. The delay in repairing the cask was due to the fact that a cooper had to be brought from Dundee.

Honourable Sirs,

Your obedient servant 

G.W. Peterkin, officer'

It's rewarding to witness the nature of G.W. Peterkin in action. Like an old friend we thought we had lost, we can anticipate some captivating stories in the upcoming Glen Albyn pages.

This entry serves as a concise overview of the debts that needed to be settled in various ways. Simply by perusing these short entries, it emphasises the effectiveness of the Excise system and how the Crown valued the spirit.

Interestingly, this page appears to document various events that were not recorded in real-time - as was the norm - in this logbook. These events seemingly trace back to 1922, and it seems that Gilbert is now addressing that omission.

We also observe references to Mackinlay & Birnie, who had firmly established themselves as the new proprietors after taking control of the distillery in 1920. Another recognisable name is the Walkers of Kilmarnock, who held a significant interest in the whiskies of Glen Albyn and Glen Mhor. My investigation into Glen Mhor uncovered a series of train invoices from the 1910s - the decade preceding this entry - that showcased the enormous volume of cask shipments they received from Inverness. I suspect Glen Albyn was an even greater source of orders, given its larger scale as a distillery, although I have yet to discover any comparable documents.

What stands out is that with the acquisition of the distillery in 1920, we can ascertain that the Highland Railway Company Invoices were issued before this ownership transition and are primarily related to Glen Mhor. Should any train shipment documents surface after that date, I would anticipate both distilleries appearing on the same invoice due to their shared parent company.

The whisky trains are quite famous, yet the accidents or incidents that occurred along those routes may have faded into obscurity. I remember a note regarding an incident involving Glen Mhor, where police had to secure the damaged cask, which is also referenced in #13. It is regrettable that the enclosures are missing from the materials in this archive; however, let us remain hopeful that we can connect these entries with the ongoing research.

On that note, any dates we have documented will be incorporated into the emerging Glen Albyn Timeline. I recommend taking a look at it to witness its development as we progress with our efforts.

The Glen Albyn logs are held at the Highland Archives Centre in Inverness (HCA/D31/4/1/23 and HCA/D31/4/1/24) and I'm thankful to the Archive and HMRC for access to these incredible resources and bringing them to life.