Meet Blind Captain Munro; Shot, Jilted, And Founder Of Teaninich

Teaninich Distillery was based in 1817 and has a capability of simply over ten million liters of pure alcohol. But regardless of this making Teaninich firmly in Scotland’s prime 20 oldest open scotch distilleries (at joint seventeenth) and one in all Scotland’s largest producers of malt whisky (seventh of 150), not many whisky followers have heard of it.

Whereas there’s lots to shout about this unassuming distillery, some of the astonishing is the story of its founder, the “Blind Captain” Hugh Munro.

The “Blind Captain” Hugh Munro

Hugh Munro was born in 1770, son of Navy Captain James Munro. On his father’s demise in 1788, aged simply 18, Hugh Munro inherited his father’s lands and title to develop into the eighth Laird of Teaninich. As a rich landowner he was lucky to be betrothed to his sweetheart Jane, daughter of one other landowner Normal Sir Hector Munro—keep in mind that is the 18th century the Aristocracy, so sure, in all probability some type of cousins.

Hugh’s place of privilege didn’t cease him from enlisting within the not too long ago created 78th Highlanders regiment; a foot regiment shaped in 1783 by the Chief of the Mackenzie clan. In September 1794 they had been posted to the Netherlands to struggle within the French Revolutionary Wars. Aged simply 24 Captain Hugh Munro laid eyes on his sweetheart for the final time as he set off for the continent.

In November 1794 Hugh was shot within the head. He was one in all greater than 60 wounded in protection of Nijmegen, however in a small miracle the bullet didn’t kill the Captain. Nonetheless it destroyed each his eyes and handed behind the bridge of his nostril. Miraculously, given the extent of medical experience on the time, Munro survived to return dwelling to his fortress, however not his sweetheart.

18th Century Discrimination

Sadly for Hugh the 18th century didn’t look fondly on incapacity, even for those who had been a lord. The daddy of Hugh’s beloved believed Hugh’s blindness meant his daughter wouldn’t be correctly offered for. Jane was forbidden from marrying Hugh. It’s understood there was a plan to elope however finally Jane couldn’t deliver herself to go in opposition to her father’s needs.

Whether or not in defiance of his not-to-be father-in-law, or with the fearlessness of a person who has seen demise’s door, Hugh turned his power to his duties as Lord of Teaninich, and excelled.

Teaninich’s Blind Captain

Now recognized by the moniker the “Blind Captain,” the younger and apparently fearless Hugh didn’t let just a little factor akin to blindness get in the best way of doing his duties and enhancing his group. He started important work on Teaninich fortress, demolishing and rebuilding elements of it. “He enthusiastically supervised the work, pacing out rooms to his actual dimensions and even climbing planks and scaffolding,” explains the literature on Teaninich Castle itself.

In a time when incapacity was seen to make you much less of an individual, Hugh Munro appeared decided to show the world flawed. He nonetheless loved horse using, and historic accounts counsel he was recognized for galloping at prime pace with nothing however his groom forward of him to scout for obstacles. His one concession to different’s views of his blindness appears to be sporting giant inexperienced glasses that hid his eyes from view.

Apart from that he carried on as any good lord would; enhancing life and productiveness of his property and those who lived there. He laid out the city of Alness, straightened the river to forestall flooding, prolonged the leases of craftsmen to permit for higher productiveness and offered refuge for the homeless. Importantly for whisky lovers, in 1817 he based the Teaninich distillery.

The Historic Teaninich Distillery

For landowners distilling whisky was seen to be a optimistic associate to different property actions. There have been quite a few advantages for tenants and their lord as a result of whisky was rising in reputation and making it offered an outlet for domestically grown barley. The whisky was additionally simpler to move to market than grain. Plus it gave property staff one thing to do within the chilly winter months and the byproducts had been good as animal feed and fertilizer.

Teaninich’s Blind Captain believed {that a} licenced distillery would enhance the lifetime of his tenants and in addition stop illicit distilling, which was consuming into his income. The Teaninich distillery offered a professional place for native farmers to promote their grain, moderately than use it for making their very own moonshine.

Munro’s plan could have been barely too profitable by the requirements of the time. In 1822 it’s reported that he ended up with greater than 4,000 gallons of whisky saved in his warehouse. This was thought of so much as a result of on the time whisky was largely bought as newmake.

Campaigning For The Whisky Trade

The issue in Munro’s opinion was unfair competitors. The legal guidelines of his time allowed illicit distillers to thrive on the expense of professional operations. Sure of the prevalence of legitimately produced, constant whisky, Munro started to marketing campaign.

In 1822 the 62 12 months previous “Blind Captain” made nationwide headlines for his tackle to the Parliamentary Fee when he complained that no public home in Tain had bought legally produced whisky in over 12 months.

The passing of the Excise Act in 1823 was the reply to Munro’s issues. In keeping with the Scotch Whisky Association, the 52 web page act “accommodates particulars on the setup and regulation of a whisky distillery: its purpose was to create a stage taking part in area for distillers, generate a supply of revenue for grain farmers in Scotland, and finally guarantee a provide of constant, high quality spirit for customers to get pleasure from.” In the end it took the benefit away from illicit distillers and allowed Munro’s Teaninich distillery, and the individuals linked to it, to profit totally from their arduous work.

Breaking Hearts

Whereas Hugh seemingly moved on from his past love and threw himself into his duties, Jane is known to have lived heartbroken. At her father’s request she was betrothed to and married one other, and by no means spoke to Hugh once more. Nonetheless when she grew to become sick she apparently requested to be taken to their parish church in order that she might see Hugh one final time. On seeing him in his distinctive inexperienced glasses she is believed to have collapsed and died quickly after. This tragic love story has been immortalized by The Boutique-y Whisky Firm of their uniquely styled labels.

In 1819 Hugh took a step again from his duties as laird of Teaninich and bought the fortress to his brother, Main Normal John Munro who grew to become the ninth Lord of Teaninich. John Munro was an equally spectacular man; fluent in not less than eight languages, he was translator to a number of influential individuals in India and in honor of his work within the nation he has a small archipelago named after him!

Hugh moved into the property dower home after promoting the fortress to his brother. He stored Teaninich distillery till his demise in 1946, though is known to have taken a lighter roll in day-to-day actions from 1830.

The Fashionable Teaninich Distillery

Immediately Teaninich is arguably unrecognizable as a 200 12 months previous distillery. It has been expanded and modernized to satisfy the massive demand for its malt whisky. Virtually all of its whisky goes to sait the worldwide thirst for blended scotch, together with Jonnie Walker. Regardless of being a part of the most well-liked scotch whisky on this planet Teaninich is virtually unknown—in contrast to its closest neighbor, the picturesque Dalmore, which was based in 1839 and sits lower than a mile away from Munro’s distillery.

Being a part of the most well-liked scotch whisky on this planet is a peculiar boon for the malt and grain whiskies which are mixed to create the enduring blends. You will have virtually actually heard of the three largest single malt distilleries in scotland; Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Macallan. You may due to this fact count on to recognise the title of the third largest distillery of the one largest producer of scotch whisky? However as a predominant producer of blends, Diageo’s largest distilleries are perversely unknown, endlessly the bridesmaids to Johnnie Walker mix.

We’re seeing some modifications as Diageo develops customer facilities in a few of its distilleries. However it’s a disgrace that attention-grabbing tales like Hugh Munro’s—particularly ones representing variety in an business that has been famend for specializing in in a position bodied white males—don’t but have the chance to be advised as broadly. As Diageo finishes its newest spherical of investments I’d argue that Teaninich’s exceptional founder gives the type of heritage that the business ought to shout about.

This text is tailored from a chunk initially written for Forbes.com