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Fachan
The fachan was not the kind of creature you
would want to bump into on your way back from the inn, or at any
other time. One of the more bizarre figures of Celtic folklore,
the fachan had one eye in the middle of its head, one arm protruding
from its chest, and one knobbly thickly-veined leg. Its skin was
a grey-green colour, covered in long matted hair of midnight blue.
Its six hairy toes were spread around its single foot, enabling
it to balance evenly and to move about with speed and agility
in a hopping motion. Its ability to leap high into the air or
across a stream or chasm from a stationary position made it a
formidable opponent.
The fachan would carry a weapon in its one hand,
typically a club or an axe. Its favourite ploy was to ambush passers-by,
pouncing on them from under cover. The unfortunate victim would
be clubbed to the ground or fatally bitten. Fachans seem to have
ranged in height from venomous dwarves to monstrous ogres. It
was said that one inhabited the wooded banks of the Lour burn
- though, thankfully, it hasn't been spotted for some time.
Fairy Knowe
The old name for the small hill behind the
Aberlour Distillery ("Fairy Hill"), on which there are
a number of standing stones - evidence of an ancient Pictish settlement.
Fairy Knowe, as its name suggests, was also thought to be the
haunt of spirits from the Faery Kingdom in pre-Christian times.
The Celtic fairies were a far cry from the friendly Victorian
image of the "little spirits", with their wands and
tutus. They could be fierce and vindictive and frequently fought
amongst themselves. Mortals were not safe from them either: they
kidnapped unbaptised children and snatched young mothers to wet
nurse their own offspring. Many a man was lured to his death by
the hypnotic sound of their music. Fairies lived underground,
favouring small green hills like Fairy Knowe - and who is to say
they are not still there?
Feints
The final part of the run of "low wines"
through the spirit safe. The feints are returned to the distillation
process as part of the next batch of low wines. See
Distilling.
Fermentation
Fermentation is the stage in the whisky-making
process that comes between mashing and distilling. The sugary
liquid, called wort, that is drawn off from the mash tun (leaving
the draff behind to be used as cattle food) is cooled before passing
into the washback, a large, circular stainless steel vessel. Yeast
is added to the mix, attacking the sugar in the wort and transforming
it into crude alcohol. The process is an extremely active one,
with the wort heaving and bubbling like the contents of a gigantic
magic cauldron. Gradually the vigorous movement dies down and
after about 48 hours the fermentation is over, producing a beer-like
liquid known as wash. This contains alcohol of low strength (along
with some unfermentable elements) which is then piped through
to the still room. See Distilling.
Fleming, James
Founder of the Aberlour Distillery, James Fleming
(1830-95) was a man of enterprise, vision and compassion. The
son of a local tenant farmer, he was born at Tomfarclas, a few
miles from Aberlour. It had been assumed that the young James
would follow in his father's footsteps, but the daily grind of
the Highland farmer proved too much for his weak constitution.
Under doctor's orders, he abandoned farming as a career and sought
something less physically taxing. He became a grain dealer, steadily
building up his own business and widening his circle of commercial
contacts, among whom were many whisky distillers.
The man of enterprise merged with the man of vision.
James Fleming resolved to establish his own distillery and create
a whisky of distinction. He acquired the land and with it the
priceless water source of St Drostan's Well. He then proceeded
to design the distillery himself and supervised every aspect of
its construction. Work began in 1879 and within a year the whisky
began to flow. James Fleming was a shrewd and successful businessman;
he bought only the best barley and mixed it with his precious
pure spring water. This, he knew, was the key to a great malt
whisky.
The key to James Fleming was his innate goodness.
He was a man of extraordinary generosity, helping those in need
whenever he could. For the people of Aberlour he built a community
hall and left money for a cottage hospital and suspension bridge
across the River Spey. All are still in use today. Self-effacing
and modest, he lived by his family motto "Let the Deed Show"
- for James Fleming, actions spoke louder than words. His memory
lives on in the distillery he founded. It is a sobering thought
that without this remarkable man there may never have been an
Aberlour Single Malt.
Foreshots
The first, and impure, part of the run of "low
wines" through the spirit safe. Like the feints, the foreshots
are recycled. See Distilling.
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