Burn's Night: Whisky and Bard of Ayrshire

“Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?”

The thing is, if you have pioneered Romanticism, and happen to be Scotland’s national poet too, the people never forget you, no matter how old an acquaintance you are. Instead, there is a yearly celebration, and a night is dedicated to the memory of the poet, fondly called the Bard of Ayrshire. The person in question is none other than Robert Burns, first of his name, poet and lyricist, Scotland’s beloved hero.

Popular as he might’ve been, there was no celebration in his name during his time. Burn’s Night was an accidental occurrence. In 1801, when nine of Robert’s dear friends met for a late supper on his fifth death anniversary, they were looking for a night of remembrance, with haggis, whisky, and their deceased friend’s verses for company. After they had raised a toast to their friend, and poet, they decided to gather together for Robbie’s (for that’s what his friends liked to call him) birthday, months later in January next year. Soon, the congregation grew in strength, as there were many who loved the poet. It became a ritual to recite his verses at such gatherings, sky rocketing Burn’s popularity. Sir Walter Scott arranged for the biggest Burn’s Night supper gathering in 1815, and since then, both the bard and the celebration has gone viral.

So, that’s the story behind Burn’s Night. Celebrating the beacon of romanticism called for something special. And, what could be more special than raising a toast with a shot of Scotch? The Burn’s night gatherings caught the public imagination, and soon Robert Burns became synonymous with both poetry, and whisky. Whisky, and haggis are an inseparable part of the celebrations, just as much as reciting verses by the Robbie Burns.

Malt Whisky Companion by Michael Jackson

Once a journalist who turned to writing about beer and whisky, the late Micheal Jackson has been the darling for all drinking enthusiasts. Be it his influence on popularising the brewing culture in North America, or his first book, ‘The World Guide To Beer’ being considered as one of the most fundamental books in beer circle, Jackson has been a known name in the spirit world. He was arguably one of the most influencing writer on whisky whose professional review often paved the way to settle in-bar debates on ‘who’s drink is better’.

Call of Hebrides: Discovering Bruichladdich

Could it ever be that a young and wandering Bacchus trod upon the Scottish isles of Islay and fell in love, blessing it with gurgling streams and vast green meadows that’d bear greatest of Scottish distilleries that ever were? Bacchus may have taken a break from his love of vines and indulged himself in the resplendent warmth of uisga beatha, but Islay sure is blessed. Of the many distilleries strewn on the isles, Bruichladdich Distillery stands a testimony to the changing colours of time, as layers upon layers of stories settle on its ageing walls. The journals of a man long gone, by the name of Rudd Harvey talk of the birth of Bruichladdich that has stood the test of time.

List Of Fictional Drinks From Movies & Books

We always look up to movies and books for inspiration on anything and everything under the sun. Why should drinks be left behind then? Fictional beer and cocktails have been around for over a century after The Three Stooges introduced Panther Pilsner to us in the 1935 short film Three Little Beers. We might never get to taste Vesper or Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, but why should that stop us from wishing they were real! Scroll through a list of some of the interesting and delicious cocktails from the fictional world: