Whisky Galore!

The "rescue operation" in full swing

On a rather chilly and windy day here in the Øresund area, what could more enjoyable than watching the 1949 Ealing comedy film Whisky Galore! based on the novel by Compton MacKenzie - of course accompanied by a glass of my favourite single malt, Bowmore from the Isle of Islay in the Hebrides. 

Basil Radford  as Captain Paul Waggett, the stuffy English commander of the local  Home Guard

The movie and the novel are based on the real-life 1941 shipwreck of S.S. Politician near the island of Eriskay (in the movie renamed Todday) in the Hebrides, and the islanders´ unauthorized taking of its cargo of whisky. Before that the island had run out of whisky, which resulted in a deep gloom among the natives. The shipwreck loaded with 15.000 bottles of whisky came almost as a gift from heaven ....

Whisky Galore is one of the great Ealings comedies, as enjoyable today as 60 or so years ago. Strongly recommended, especially for friends of good Scotch whisky! 

Natives celebrating the "catch"

James Robertson Justice as Dr. Maclaren

PS

On the subject of whisky, it is good to know that original Scotch whisky is doing rather well internationally now: 

Scotch Whisky exports grew to a record £4.2bn last year as younger drinkers in emerging markets developed a taste for the tipple.

The Scotch Whisky Association, which announced the figures today, said rising demand in developing and mature markets had helped export values rise an average of 10% a year over the past five years.

Exports to the US, the biggest market by value, rose 31% year-on-year to £654.9m – breaking the £600m barrier for the first time. Sales to France, the second biggest market, grew 27% to £535.4m.

Hopefully the single malts from the Hebrides have their share of the success!