Steeping tanks (2). View of one of four steeping tanks in which barley was prepared before being spread in the Saladin boxes in the neighbouring Maltings. Disused since 1983.

Description Steeping tanks (2). View of one of four steeping tanks in which barley was prepared before being spread in the Saladin boxes in the neighbouring Maltings. Disused since 1983.

Date 26/4/1993

Catalogue Number C 3875

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 732234

Scope and Content Steeping tank, Balmenach Distillery, Highland Balmenach Distillery was formally established in 1824, when legend has it James Macgregor was visited by an exciseman who advised him to 'take out a license on yon peat shed' in which he had been illicitly distilling whisky. Like most distilleries it has been renovated and has changed hands several times in the course of its history, before being 'mothballed' in 1993. It was acquired by Inver House Distillers in 1997, and is now once more in use. This shows one of four steeping tanks in which barley is soaked before being spread out to germinate on the ventilated floor of the nearby maltings. The sprouted barley is then dried over peat fires in the malt kiln before being ground into a coarse flour called grist. This is then mixed with water in the mash tuns before fermentation in the washbacks. The wash is then distilled by heating it in large copper stills until the alcohol vaporizes. After passing through a condenser, the 'heart' of the clear spirit run is put into oak casks. Maturation for three years or more in bonded (locked) warehouses gives the whisky its golden colour and distinctive taste. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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