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An entry in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland on 1st June, 1495, records that Friar John Cor was given charge of eight bolls of malt, \u2018wherewith to make aqua vitae\u2019. This has led many people to believe that his patron, King James IV, was the first big consumer of what we now know as whisky.\nBut the drink may not have been ordered for recreational purposes. It *might* have been intended for use in\xa0the production of gunpowder. Or\u2026 it may have been to help develop \u2018the quintessence\u2019, the life elixir being developed by the King\u2019s alchemist, John Damian, promising to confer immortality to the King.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and OIly revisit Damian\u2019s other mission - to be the first man to achieve winged flight; trace back the history of whisky for medicinal purposes; and reveal the ingredients of \u2018a Renaissance-era Long Island Iced Tea\u2019...\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018Famous whisky drinkers: King James IV\u2019 (Scotch Whisky): https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/famous-whisky-drinkers/13189/king-james-iv/\n\u2022 \u2018The aqua vitae era\u2019 (Whisky Magazine): https://whiskymag.com/story/the-aqua-vitae-era\n\u2022 \u2018The Real Reason Whiskey Is Healthier Than Any Other Drink\u2019 (Mashed, 2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKjXoSckzbQ\nWe're off for a couple of days after this (it's a public holiday in Britain), so no new episodes tomorrow/Friday. \nWe'll be back on Monday! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nFor bonus material and to support the show, visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.\xa0\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices