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Veteran cooper leaves Glenfiddich distillery
BBC.com ^ | 29 December 2011

Posted on 12/30/2011 8:54:16 PM PST by Daffynition

The longest-serving cooper in Scotland is to lay down his tools for the last time on Hogmanay.

Don Ramsay started working in the Glenfiddich distillery on Christmas Day 1961, when he was 15.

His employers said he has created more than 200,000 casks during his 50-year career.

The distillery honoured him in 2004 by releasing a limited bottling of Glenfiddich 1991 Vintage Reserve which carried his name.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Food; History
KEYWORDS: cooper; glenfiddich; scotland; scotlandyet
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1 posted on 12/30/2011 8:54:18 PM PST by Daffynition
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Traditional cask capacities

Pin - 4.5 gallons
Firkin - 9 gallons
Kilderkin - 18 gallons
Barrel - 36 gallons
Hogshead - 54 gallons
Puncheon - 72 gallons
Butt - 108 gallons


2 posted on 12/30/2011 8:56:54 PM PST by Daffynition (*Pray for whatever passes for America these days* Amen. ~ ScottinVA)
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To: Daffynition

It’s a pretty amazing talent. I saw a show on how they are made and there is very little or even NO sealing material used.


3 posted on 12/30/2011 9:08:01 PM PST by The Antiyuppie ("When small men cast long shadows, then it is very late in the day.")
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To: Daffynition

Two hogsheads, straight up please.


4 posted on 12/30/2011 9:08:54 PM PST by 43north (BHO: 50% black, 50% white, 100% RED)
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To: Daffynition
To mark his retirement, he was presented with a specially-created miniature cask filled with whisky

I would rather have an oversize cask filled with whisky.

5 posted on 12/30/2011 9:51:01 PM PST by iowamark
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To: 43north

GLENFIDDICH 1991 Don Ramsay Bottling

Don Ramsay is the head cooper at Glenfiddich, and this is a limited edition bottling made from malt finished in specially selected Bourbon casks.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE. This 'Dearly Departed' whisky is a rare, discontinued bottling shown for information only

6 posted on 12/30/2011 9:57:22 PM PST by Daffynition (*Pray for whatever passes for America these days* Amen. ~ ScottinVA)
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To: The Antiyuppie

It’s a forgotten art.

Anyone know the name of the tool Mr. Ramsay is holding in the picture?


7 posted on 12/30/2011 10:06:30 PM PST by Daffynition (*Pray for whatever passes for America these days* Amen. ~ ScottinVA)
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To: Daffynition

a ‘This Old House’ question!


8 posted on 12/30/2011 10:12:05 PM PST by RitchieAprile
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To: Daffynition

A google search on “cooper’s hammer” turns up “hammer-driver.”


9 posted on 12/30/2011 10:33:28 PM PST by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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To: Daffynition
200,000 is about 16 every work day. Imagine buiding a new barrel every 30 minutes for 50 years.
10 posted on 12/30/2011 11:10:44 PM PST by KarlInOhio (Herman Cain: possibly the escapee most dangerous to the Democrats since Frederick Douglass.)
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To: coloradan

This is a little off topic, but I did a search (on Bing) for “fema bodybags” and this popped up in the ad section (on the right side):

Cadaver Bags
Style Is In The Bag. Save on Cadaver Bags!
Handbags.Shopzilla.com

Amused me to no end. I am no womens fashion expert, but I dont think many women want to buy a cadaver handbag.


11 posted on 12/30/2011 11:14:13 PM PST by ConservativeChris
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To: coloradan
That was a terrific lead! Thanks! From an Aussie site...

http://www.apjohn.com.au/products/the-complete-cooperage/cooper-tools-hammer-and-drivers


12 posted on 12/30/2011 11:24:06 PM PST by Daffynition (*Pray for whatever passes for America these days* Amen. ~ ScottinVA)
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To: ConservativeChris

I was researching some statistic regarding slavery once and got a message in the sidebar that said “Looking for Slaves? Shop eBay.com”


13 posted on 12/30/2011 11:29:27 PM PST by Bubba Ho-Tep ("More weight!"--Giles Corey)
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To: Daffynition

Sometimes we forget that there are still these kind of skilled trades around. I am sure one can make great money being a cooper, cobler or some other skilled craftsman.


14 posted on 12/30/2011 11:46:23 PM PST by LukeL (Barack Obama: Jimmy Carter 2 Electric Boogaloo)
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To: Daffynition

Sometimes we forget that there are still these kind of skilled trades around. I am sure one can make great money being a cooper, cobler or some other skilled craftsman.


15 posted on 12/30/2011 11:46:23 PM PST by LukeL (Barack Obama: Jimmy Carter 2 Electric Boogaloo)
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To: Daffynition

Not a forgotten art here in Missouri.
The Independent Stave Company sends ready made white oak barrels by the thousands all over the world.


16 posted on 12/31/2011 5:20:40 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (Gimme that old time fossil fuel.)
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To: LukeL
Sometimes we forget that there are still these kind of skilled trades around. I am sure one can make great money being a cooper, cobler or some other skilled craftsman.

Oh, c'mon! Those are jobs Americans are unwilling to do!

/sarc

17 posted on 12/31/2011 5:30:28 AM PST by Erik Latranyi
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To: Daffynition

You can buy whiskey by the keg? Crap....and Christmas just went by.....now I’ll have to be good for a whole year.
“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A keg of whiskey.”
Easy to remember, anyway.
I’d only have to make one whiskey run a week for Grandma.
Hopefully, there’s a volume purchase discount.


18 posted on 12/31/2011 7:15:09 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: KarlInOhio
I can't even begin to imagine!


19 posted on 12/31/2011 7:22:25 AM PST by Daffynition (*Pray for whatever passes for America these days* Amen. ~ ScottinVA)
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To: LukeL

20 posted on 12/31/2011 7:29:19 AM PST by Daffynition (*Pray for whatever passes for America these days* Amen. ~ ScottinVA)
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