[Scotland] A collaboration between two of Scotland’s oldest arts — poetry and whisky making — has resulted in the launch of a commemorative Scotch Whisky charity bottling for International Women’s Day, complete with a specially-written poem.The Makar’s Malt is a limited edition single cask single malt Scotch Whisky marking the end of celebrated Scottish poet Jackie Kay’s tenure as The Scots Makar/National Poet of Scotland.
Following a tender process arranged by the Scotch Whisky Association, Isle of Raasay Distillery in the Inner Hebrides was selected by the Makar to create and bottle the commemorative single malt. The distillery worked closely with the Makar to choose a special single cask bottling, and a poem written by Jackie Kay ’Here’s Tae Ye!’ will feature on the bottle’s label.
Here’s Tae Ye
I raise my glass, my dear,
Wherever you now are,
North, south, east or west
Under the nearest or furthest star
Slà inte!
There’s love in this wee dram,
In the purest form
To greet you my fiere, my jo,
Nippy, heathery, warm.
Slà inte!
~ Jackie Kay, 2021