What were spey wives?

Spey wives were women in Scotland who illegally sold whisky without a licence. They were named after the River Spey, which is renowned for its whisky distilleries. Spey wives were particularly active in the 18th and 19th centuries when there were high taxes on whisky. They would buy whisky from distilleries and sell it to customers directly, often hiding the whisky in their clothes or under their skirts. Spey wives were sometimes arrested and fined, but they continued to operate as they provided a vital service to people who wanted to avoid the high taxes on whisky.