A Flaming Tidal Wave of Whisky

It’s safe to say that whisky is a relaxed hobby. As long one doesn’t over indulge. Everyone can have a smooth, chilled evening experiencing some of the finest elixirs ever distilled. But what if…say…

A warehouse explodes in the middle of Dublin. What then? Would you be able to maintain your composure? Answer me that. I’ll tell you what the Irish did…

It began with a warehouse fire. On the 18^{th of} June 1875, Laurence Malone’s storehouse holding 1.2 million litres of whisky caught ablaze. The whisky was at high risky.

The exact unit of measurement was 5000 hogsheads. For context a hogshead is larger that a barrel, but smaller than a butt. A butt being half a liquid tun, not to be confused with a tonne. That would be too easy for you. (A hogshead is about 250L)

As the fire grew and grew, the casks got hotter and hotter. The steam inside started to push against their galvanised hoops. And when they couldn’t bear the pressure any longer…

Boom.

Whisky exploded through the doors and windows. Rocketing onto the roads. Turning left down Cork Street.

Meanwhile, the locals started to suspect something. The sounds of squealing livestock, alerted them. Many peered out of their windows to see their barns aflame. This kicked them into overdrive, and the resultant evacuation was highly praised by the Lord Mayor of Dublin for its surprising speed and effectiveness. Not one person died due to the flames.

Let’s not forget that a flaming sea of whisky that has now turned onto Ardee Street, then Chamber Street. It demolished an entire row of houses on Mill Street. With the livestock and peoples safe, there was only one course of action. A team of whisky enthusiasts wet their lips and dove into the crisis. Collecting the molten liquid with whatever vessel was closest. Bowls, hats, the neighbour’s cats – They made sure that not one of the hogsheads went to waste.

Heroism – but they made a grave, fatal error. The whisky was still of a much higher ABV than any Irish bottle. Clearly, they had not read a Whisky Road article. And as a result of necking cask strength, 24 people were hospitalised, and sadly 13 later died of alcohol poisoning.

So, when you’re having your tasting and the local pigs start to squeal, please urge your friends to stay inside. Yes, the flaming muddy liquid that decimates lampposts and cars may look like an appetising treat - but stick to the single-malt for now. That is the lesson to be learned from The Great Whiskey Fire of Dublin.