Annotation:Balmenach
X:1 % T:Balmenach C:J. Scott Skinner M:C L:1/8 R:Scottische N:"To John MacGregor." B:Skinner - The Logie Collection (1888, p. 93) Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:D B|(A2 F>)A D>(AF>)(B|A>)(DF>)D {D}(A2d>)e|f/e/d/c/ {c}d>B A>D F<D| E/E/E F>A {A}B2-B:|B|A<d c<d A<d F>d|A>F {F}d>F {F}A2 A>B| A>d c<d A>d F>d|E<E F>A {A}B2 B>A|A>d c<d A<d F>d| A>F {F}d>F {F}(A2 d>)e|(3.f.e.d (3.c.B.A (3.d.c.B (3.A.G.F|E/E/E F<A {A}B2-B||
BALMENACH. Scottish, Schottische (whole time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. Composed by fiddler-composer and dancing master Biography:J. Scott Skinner (1843-1927), who dedicated the tune to Mr. John MacGregor. Balmenoch was a distillery originally licensed to James MacGregor who built up his famous brand from an initial illicit distillery. When he died in 1878 his brother was summoned home from New Zealand, and John MacGregor took control of the production, eventually involving his son in the business. A visitor in the 1880's described the distillery as "of the most antiquated type...[with] picturesque old pot stills and vessels." This was by design, for John MacGregor refused to allow any changes for fear that the character and quality of his whisky might be altered.