
Scotch. Ralf / Pixabay.com / 2016 / CC0 1.0
https://pixabay.com/photos/whisky-whiskey-alcohol-scotch-1872370/
The 8th of February is International Scotch Day.
It is promoted by the Diageo company, a multinational alcohol beverage company. The promotion is aimed at creating new markets for Scotch.
February was chosen because Alexander Walker was born in February. He was the son of Johnnie Walker, who started the export of his father’s now eponymous Scotch.
“International Scotch Day is an initiative from drinks titan Diageo, which owns the most Scotch whisky distilleries… In fact, February 10th marks the birthday of Alexander Walker, the creator of the famous blend.” [1] Schrieberg, Felipe. 5 Whiskies You Should Try For International Scotch Day.
There is no right or wrong way to drink Scotch. It doesn’t matter if you prefer it straight up, or on ice, but even some straight up fans will say a few drops of water can enhance it.
Scotch fans say that it is meant to be sipped rather than guzzled and certainly never used as a shooter. It took years, they say, to get that Scotch into a bottle, and the time that went into it needs to be appreciated.
On this day, some Scotch distilleries will open to the public free of charge. If you happening to be visiting Scotland on this day, you could try to tour one of the over 120 Scotch whisky distilleries there. In the past, Diageo has opened the Scotch archive in Menstrie, Scotland to the public.
On this day, you could hold a Scotch tasting party at your house. If so, you may wish to have someone read or recite Robert Burns’s ode to whisky entitled ‘Scotch Drink’.
#InternationalScotchDay #LoveScotch
Facebook page for the page: https://www.facebook.com/LoveofScotch
Literature and Lore
“O thou, my muse! guid auld Scotch drink!
Whether thro’ wimplin worms thou jink,
Or, richly brown, ream owre the brink,
In glorious faem,
Inspire me, till I lisp an’ wink,
To sing thy name!” — Robert Burns
The poem in its entirety can be found here: Scotch Drink
History
International Scotch Day started in 2017 [2]”Plans have been unveiled for the second International Scotch Day – a worldwide celebration of all things Scotch whisky – on Thursday, 8 February this year [2018].” Evans, Matt. International Scotch Day 2018 Announced. ScotchWhisky.com. London, England: Elixir House Limited. 10 January 2018. Accessed July 2018 at https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/latest-news/17437/international-scotch-day-2018-announced/
In February 2017, Felipe Schrieberg wrote, “Today is the very first International Scotch Day …. Diageo’s head of outreach, Nick Morgan, has said that they plan on making this an annual global event.” [3] Schrieberg, Felipe. 5 Whiskies You Should Try For International Scotch Day. Jersey City, New Jersey: Forbes Magazine. 10 February 2017. Accessed July 2019 at https://www.forbes.com/sites/felipeschrieberg/2017/02/10/5-whiskies-you-should-try-for-international-scotch-day/#1e020afc4890
Sources
Bellwood, Owen. Diageo outlines plans for 2018 International Scotch Day. 8 January 2018. Accessed July 2019 at https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2018/01/diageo-outlines-plans-for-2018-international-scotch-day/
Bingham, Marisa. Oban Single Malt Scotch Whisky Launches ‘It’s Pronounced OH-Bin’ Campaign with Actor Jack Falahee in Honor of International Scotch Day. Diageo. Press Release. 6 February 2019. Accessed July 2019 at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oban-single-malt-scotch-whisky-launches-its-pronounced-oh-bin-campaign-with-actor-jack-falahee-in-honor-of-international-scotch-day-300790811.html
Bradford, Barry. Celebrate International Scotch Day 2019 with Aberfeldy single malt scotch whisky. 1 February 2019. Accessed July 2019 at https://thewhiskyphiles.com/2019/02/01/celebrate-international-scotch-day-2019-with-aberfeldy-single-malt-scotch-whisky/
Gallagher, Rosemary. Ten things to do on International Scotch Day. 7 February 2018. Glasgow, Scotland: Scottish Business Insider. Accessed July 2019 at https://www.insider.co.uk/special-reports/ten-things-international-scotch-day-11985963
International Scotch Day. Accessed July 2019 at https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/about-whisky/international-scotch-day
Thomson, Rusty. International Scotch Day. AM 800 CKLW. 8 February 2018. Accessed July 2019 at http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/international-scotch-day-1.3610073
References
↑1 | Schrieberg, Felipe. 5 Whiskies You Should Try For International Scotch Day. |
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↑2 | ”Plans have been unveiled for the second International Scotch Day – a worldwide celebration of all things Scotch whisky – on Thursday, 8 February this year [2018].” Evans, Matt. International Scotch Day 2018 Announced. ScotchWhisky.com. London, England: Elixir House Limited. 10 January 2018. Accessed July 2018 at https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/latest-news/17437/international-scotch-day-2018-announced/ |
↑3 | Schrieberg, Felipe. 5 Whiskies You Should Try For International Scotch Day. Jersey City, New Jersey: Forbes Magazine. 10 February 2017. Accessed July 2019 at https://www.forbes.com/sites/felipeschrieberg/2017/02/10/5-whiskies-you-should-try-for-international-scotch-day/#1e020afc4890 |