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The Bruichladdich whisky distillery in Scotland is to revive an ancient tradition by producing a quadruple distilled single malt - a process likely to produce a 92 per cent proof spirit.

Apparently such distillates were used to suppress colic and smallpox but the modern version is more likely to end up on collectors shelves; only 12 barrels are to be produced on the 27th February - oh, that's today!

A book dated 1695 details a journey in the Hebrides and refers to a quadruple distilled whisky known as usquebaugh-baul pronounced something like ‘woo-sh-ka-voll’ and which does not appear to have any current meaning known to Gaelic speakers.

The only tasting note available, and perhaps the oldest whisky tasting note of all, states: "… the first taste affects all the members of the body: two spoonfuls of this last liquor is a sufficient dose; and if any man should exceed this, it would presently stop his breath, and endanger his life”. The writer went on to say “Two spoonfuls of this last liquor is a sufficient dose; if any man should exceed this, it would presently stop his breath, and endanger his life”. (What a Lightweight....)

Bruichladdich is attempting to recreate the process and hopes that they don't blow themselves up in the process! Apparently in 2003 the US Secret Service said it had been monitoring the distillery because the difference between distilling a fine whisky and making chemical weapons was “just a small tweak”.