Whisky Names Explained: The Broody Hen

Whisky comes in all shapes and sizes, and the same can be said for its name. Whisky names are almost as unique as the beverage and the story behind them, of course. Welcome to a new edition of Whisky Names Explained, where this week we'll be discussing The Broody Hen.

The Broody Hen is a whisky that has its roots in the Scottish Highlands. Founders Matt Gammell and Marcus Pickering were once looking for barrels to age their gin. They visited various producers to see what was available.

When they walked into Summerhall Distillery, it turned out that this gin producer had a handful of whisky barrels. The duo wasn't planning on distilling whisky, but it sparked an idea in both gentlemen. They then decided to commence whisky production using the barrels from Summerhall Distillery.

But creating a whisky is only one part. A name has to follow, a bottle to trade the drink in, and of course, a charming label for the bottle. In the end, a hen ended up on the label, for the whisky that was to be distilled was to become a hidden spirit: The Broody Hen. But how exactly did the creators come up with this name?

The name The Broody Hen dates back to the seventeenth century. At that time in Scotland, an incredibly high tax was imposed on spirits. This resulted in people distilling illicit beverages, including whisky. They wanted to trade this of course but needed to evade the taxman. Traders were as creative then as they are today, hiding their whisky barrels in funeral coaches. This way, everything was safe from tax inspections.

Different tricks were used for the bottles. They had to be transported to the various pubs and inns across the country to serve customers their delicious drink. But to place a crate of bottles in a coach was not an option. That would make too much noise, so a "quieter" option was needed. The bottles ended up being hidden in the nests of broody hens.

These hens remained on their nests, and a bottle, nestled gently in the soft nest among the eggs, would make no noise. It's a delightful story that ultimately forms the basis of the name of Gammell's and Pickering's beverage.

The Broody Hen whisky is available in most parts of the world. A bottle of the blended whisky sets you back no more than 30 euros.