If you’ve been hearing about Timah Whiskey and wondered what is about regarding its name, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we give the entire low-down on the locally grown Malaysian whisky that launched Timah Whiskey – Malaysia’s First Multiple Award-Winning Whiskey with international Accolades into the limelight.
Who is Captain Speedy?
Tristram Charles Sawyer Speedy, better known to us as Captain Speedy, was born in 1836 in India. While the British Empire was in its prime, he went to Britain, completed his education and returned to India. He enlisted in the British Army in India.
Captain Speedy was stationed in the northwestern regions of India. During his enlistment, he saw action during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
After the campaign, the Urdu-speaking Captain Speedy was hired by Emperor Tewodros II of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). It was this emperor that bestowed Captain Speedy the title “Basha Felika”, meaning “Commander Speedy”. However, a falling out forced Captain Speedy to flee Abyssinia in 1861.
In 1864, Captain Speedy headed to New Zealand and joined the conflict against the native Maoris. It was there that he earned his promotion to captain.
In 1868, Captain Speedy headed back to Abyssinia when conflict broke out between the country and the British Empire. He was recalled by the army to join the military. It was then when his former employer, Emperor Tewodros chose to commit suicide. When Emperor Tewodros died, he left behind a son. Captain Speedy took that son under his wing.
For two years, Captain Speedy was in Sitapur, India, as a police district superintendent from 1869 to 1871.
It was after that when Captain Speedy finally landed in Malaya. He was a superintendent in Penang. The live baobab tree that stands between Jalan Residensi and Jalan Macalister in Penang was planted by him. It is supposedly the first non-indigenous tree to be planted in Malaya!
He briefly visited England to drop off the Abyssinian prince to continue his studies. Unfortunately, the prince died of disease. It was a heartbroken Captain Speedy that returned to Malaya.
At that time, the sultanate of Perak was embroiled in a civil war whereby two Chinese societies, Ghee Hin and Haisan were locked in a conflict. The conflict escalated when two rival local administrators, Raja Abdullah and Ngah Ibrahim, supported the rival factions.
Dubbed as the Larut War, Ngah Ibrahim enlisted the British Empire to restore order. Captain Speedy was enticed by the offer as it obviously came with a position.
Captain Speedy recruited a small force of Indian troops to restore order. In 1874, the Pangkor Treaty was signed. James Wheeler Woolford Birch, a legendary man in Malaysia, became the first Resident of Perak. Captain Speedy was his assistant then. During his stint, Captain Speedy awarded the Ghee Hin the town of Kamunting and Hai San, the town of Taiping. This successfully divided Larut between the two Chinese societies.
Captain Speedy also focused on improving Perak’s infrastructure, building new roads and administrative offices. He also built his own residence, which today stands as a historical site in Matang.
In 1878, Captain Speedy and his wife went on a long trip to Sudan. After some further service in Abyssinia, he and his wife retired in England and passed away in 1910 at 73 years old.
Where to buy Timah Whiskey?
You can buy Timah Whiskey online with free delivery if you order 2 bottles at one go. Get a taste of home brewed Malaysian product by using our express delivery now.
