By the 19th century whisky had become a currency. Highlanders were poor but they could plant barley in fields and try to sell it. However, prices varied and storage facilities were scarce. So, barley was distilled and whisky making became a natural extension to a farming year with distillation in the late autumn or winter months. The illicit distillation problem got worse and everyone rallied against the excise men. But even King George IV supported the Highlanders. This helped the move for a change in law on whisky production.