barley-fever

   obsolete

   drunkenness after drinking whisky

   Referring to the grain used in the manufacture of Scotch whisky:

    This was the first time he had ever fallen a victim to the barley-fever. (Moir, 1828)

   A barley-cap was a drunkard who habitually drank whisky. John Barleycorn, sometimes knighted, is still whisky:

    I turn myself over to a higher power, LNU, who'll keep me safe from John Barleycorn, the devil. (Turow, 1993 — LNU is an imaginary person, from Last Name Unknown in police jargon)