One of the first books written focused exclusively on spirits, noted wine writer Charles Tovey explains the origins, traditions and manufacture of various spirituous drinks either made or enjoyed throughout the United Kingdom. He covers such topics as Distillation, Gin, Whisky, Hollands Geneva, Brandy & Cognac, Punch and various favorite Liquors & Cordial drinks. In many of these chapters Tovey also discusses the rightful place of each drink in British society and with Gin in particular, its relationship to the Teetotalism movement present at the time. The relationship many of these spirits developed with the British government concerning licensing, taxation and regulation are discussed in several chapters. The appendix features many tables for figuring Duty rates, reductions to proof and both production and import/export levels to the current year. Reformatted for modern typesets and reading enjoyment, this is a brand new and long deserved treatment for this near-forgotten classic. This edition has also been freshly annotated throughout with explained references to many of the people, places and concepts that may have been familiar at the time but have been lost as years have passed. The Appendix section covering the then-active Distilleries found throughout England, Ireland and Scotland has also been expanded with opening and closing dates given for many of the lost Distilleries along with a curious fact or two for many. An edition any enthusiast of fine spirits can enjoy, the 1864 classic British & Foreign Spirits can now go with you to be read anywhere and at any time you choose. Visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/BarnardBook for more insights into Victorian era whiskies and spirits.