The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-01-16
v7hisszv~v7hat Men Drink for Pure Spirits,

#E1sEv-~~E3 nat EAeI Drink A9E g V&e otsL& @Ss'
Froo. tie New York Ezpress4
Since the c0mnencement OF the lnrestlga-
ton by the government officials into the Illicit
dstilery business, some queer revelations have
been made in regard to the manufacture OF
whisky. The processes Of manufacturing 'h'S
vile stuff are as various as the quality OF the
pcrnicious compound usually found in nine
tenths Of the bar-rooms throughout the city.
Men have no idea IF what they drink under
the name Of whisky.
It is now matter of impossibiIly TO get a
glass Of pure whisky or liquor OF any kInd'
even in what are considered tirst-class places.
The Illicit distiIlaton of whisky has been car
ried on since the tax Of 80 per gallon, put on
by the government, by small stills. AS re-
Gently as Tuesday, one of the assessors was
informed that some parties were manufacture
inc it in wash kettles. After few hours
search an old woman was found manufactur
nr what is called ''potteen" in a kettle. The
compound was sufficient to have poisoned a
regiment Of men if they had drank enough of
it. .'Potteen," or Illicit Irish and Scotch
whisky, is far-famed as an ingredient for max
inc whisky punch Or whisky skins, The SIN
gulaG flavor of the Irish is supposed to be caused
by using turf for the extraction OF the malt.
In making pottecn. that distilled from pure
malt is considered superior to that made from
mixture Of malt and raw grain 10 assign
a reason for this would require an analysis OF
the process of malt; but it may be observed
that the effects of the mailing process are SIM
liar to those the grain undergoes IN the pro
cess Of vegetation, when sown ln the ground
The constituents or clements OF THIS WHISKY
are peIarronic ether, acetlc ether, tusll OIL ana
DyroIigcneous acid, (crude kreosote.} WHISKY
owes its favor TO peiargonic ether, which IS
nearly Identical with oenanthc ether. The
smoky taste apparent in Scotch whisky Is I'M
parted by adding small quantity of kreosote
dissolved in acetic ether.
! The manufacturer Subsequently, not con
tent with making a very respectable lmlta
tion of the genuine liquor, from new spirits
and harmless flowers, must needs reduce the
alcohol SO much by the addition OF water tina
it becomes necessary TO resort to the aiterna
tive of giving the spirit fictitious strength
by the addition of Guinea pepper, kelIltory OF
Grains of paradise. This method of adnlter
alton imparts burning strength to the splrl
which BY the ignorant is considered an evl
dcnce Of strength BY this means the deale
makes fifty gallons Of imitation alcohol out
twenty-five gallons Of genuine by adding t.
the latter twenty-five gallons of water, charged
with Guinea pepper, ETC., and mixing IN
sufficient beading The receipt usually use'
is as follows:
To forty gallons common whisky, add
, Thirty gallons water;
Five gallons tncture of Guinea pepper;
One quart tincture of kelIitory;
o Two ounces acetic ether;
. One and half gallons strong tea.
q TO improve the flavor Of this whisky, ad
:. three ounces of pulverscd charcoal, and for
: ounces ground rice into gallon Of spirits, le
= ting it stand for week and stirring 1t ever
r day.