What effect did the Act of Union have on distilling in Scotland during the 18th century?

The Act of Union, passed in 1707, significantly impacted the Scottish distilling industry by pushing many distillers into illegal or underground operations. This legislation merged the parliaments of England and Scotland and introduced a new tax structure that placed burdensome duties on whisky production. As a result, many distillers, facing high taxation, opted to operate outside the law to avoid these taxes, leading to a rise in illicit distillation practices. The consequence was a thriving black market for whisky, which often compromised quality and safety but allowed distillers to circumvent the financial pressures imposed by the government.

The other options do not accurately reflect the historical context following the Act of Union. The production of whisky did not increase legitimately; instead, it became associated with illegal activities. Tax-free production was not a reality following the Act of Union, as the legislation imposed more taxes rather than removing them. Lastly, while there were discussions around quality standards over time, the immediate consequence of the Act of Union was the increase in illegal distillation rather than the establishment of quality standards.