Quiz Auto-translated

I was thinking about a barter system, but I have no ideas for a response. I thought that maybe you could sell a barrel before it's aged, on credit... but I don't like that idea. Australian has nothing to do with it.
Besides, Australia is quite far from Scotland - distance.
And in general, nowhere does it state that the answer is a Russian word.
Another possibility could be loan - I remember a story about taking out a loan for a few days, using a car as collateral, even though the car is worth hundreds of times more, just to avoid parking hassles.

and in general, nowhere is it stated that the answer is a Russian word.

I thought so too. But it's unlikely. It's just more complicated (for me).

Added 6 minutes later
Distillation?

Added 4 minutes later
Although....

Maybe it's a barrel and the English name is barrel?

I specifically Googled the English name for a barrel)))

After all, the previous question was about barrels, so it might have inspired this)

Well, barrels are barrels, but barrels are actually a normal way to store whiskey. There's nothing special about it. Okay, Uran, one of your versions is actually close to the solution. If needed, I'll reveal the answer later.

Heh, I'll be waiting for a response. Nothing comes to mind right now.

Well, let Uranus have the last word, maybe he’ll finally figure it out.

Could it be digging, swimming, or shipping (storing them on a ship while sailing)?

A distilling cube?

Or maybe it's a tavern? Although, no, that's probably silly...

I'll allow myself to give a hint (it's getting too difficult), but the word is still in Russian.

Distillation cube?

No.

So, should I write a response?

Write, I can generate many words with doubled letters, but I don't like the options.

It’s very simple. You were right about the hold, Uran. But, of course, if you transport barrels as cargo to Australia and back, it will be quite expensive...
However, ships have something called ballast. For various reasons, it may be necessary to put this ballast in the hold, either to correct a list or to add weight to the ship... Well, as I understand it, the ship could sail to Australia loaded and return empty, in which case ballast would be very useful for stability.
Be that as it may, the Scottish whisky producer Teachers in the 19th century made an agreement with someone and instead of ballast, barrels of whisky were placed on ships going to Australia (although, perhaps, this wasn't a widespread phenomenon, I can't guarantee it). During the voyage, they had time to mature, and there was no need to pay...
Uran, make a wish.

You wouldn't guess it.

I think a couple of people have already gleaned some ideas from this puzzle for themselves.

Well, I don't think I gave the right answer either; out of ten options, only one can be correct... and you still have to choose the right one.

In the only published detective story by historian Anna Bauerova, "Death and Seven Silent Witnesses," THEY are mentioned, among others:
A wrinkled dwarf with a pouch in his hand
A water sprite having breakfast with a face as green as grass
A purple lady with a heaving chest
In a more well-known author's work, THEY appear in the second part.
Name this author.

In accordance with tradition (he-he), an answer without explanation is not accepted. And Google is better than the official source.

A wizened dwarf with a pouch in his hand.

Viy / Chernomor / just some dwarf.

A water sprite having breakfast with a face as green as grass.

Actually, probably a water sprite.

A purple lady with heaving breasts.

Drowned woman / mermaid / kikimora.
If we delve into mythology, these characters probably symbolize something. For example, the seven deadly sins. Here, three of them are represented: greed, I don't know what (if it's having breakfast, maybe gluttony, although the green face is unclear), and lust.
And... I can't immediately say what this work is. Hermit reminded me of Wilde (well, that's just my association). In "The Picture of Dorian Gray," some of his sins were reflected in that portrait. Although, mostly it was wrinkles, or something like that, and I don't remember it very well anymore... But I suppose that greed, gluttony, and lust played an important role in the narrative. Although, more likely it was vanity. But I don't know. I'll keep thinking.