Scottish Country Dance of the Day

The brew is first recorded in 1475 during the campaign of the Earl of Atholl to capture Iain MacDonald, Lord of the Isles who was leading a rebellion against the king. Hearing that MacDonald drank from a small well, the Earl ordered it to be filled with honey, whisky and oatmeal. Allegedly, MacDonald stayed sampling the delicious concoction and was captured!

No more “Bah, Humbug!” with this raucous reel by John Drewry! Ebenezer Scrooge’s famous transformation in A Christmas Carol concludes with him generously providing the makings of a Christmas feast for his poor clerk, Bob Cratchit—father of the beloved Tiny Tim. Among the festive offerings is a promise of the celebratory drink known as “Smoking Bishop.” A classic hot punch, it embodies the warmth and joy of the season. Dickens, a gin punch enthusiast himself, made sure that punch makes frequent appearances in his novels, serving as a liquid symbol of good cheer whenever the occasion calls for it.

Smoking Bishop is a spiced, citrus-infused version of mulled wine—perfect for Christmas with its heady blend of port, red wine, spices, and roasted citrus. This particular recipe draws inspiration from an 1836 publication by the delightfully named Dick Humelbergius Secundus, with a few updates to enhance its festive flair. One twist is the inclusion of a whole roasted citrus, such as a clove-studded Seville orange, adding a zesty kick that sets it apart from other mulled wines.

Smoking Bishop has several festive cousins, including:

Smoking Archbishop: Swap the port for Madeira wine, lending a nuttier, drier character.

Smoking Beadle: Replace the port with a strong ale or stout, sweetened with brown sugar or molasses for a rich, malty profile.

Smoking Cardinal: Use claret (Bordeaux) instead of port and red wine, offering a lighter and fruitier alternative.

Cheers!.🤎 💛 ❤️ 🍋 🍊 🥃 📚 ✍️

Are you a connoisseur of the grape? An oenophile? A Merlot fan!? All of the most common red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Pinot Noir are descended from just one species of grape: Vitis vinifera, which originated in Eastern Europe. In fact, the oldest-known winery was discovered in a cave in Vayots Dzor, Armenia, and contained a wine press, fermentation vats, jars, and cups dating to c. 4100 BC! The parentage of the Merlot grape has been the subject of much research. One wine parent has been determined to be that of a Cabernet Franc and a half-sibling of Carménère, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. The identity of the second parent of Merlot has been recently identified by DNA analysis, from vines growing in an abandoned vineyard in Saint-Suliac in Brittany, as the mother of Merlot! Cheers! 🍷🍇

Set out your leprechaun traps or hunt forthat lucky four-leaf-clover, St. Patrick's Day is almost upon us! Or, simply prepare for celebrations with a bit of Irish Coffee, a popular drink since its introduction in 19th century coffee houses. Nowadays, the ubiquitous Bailey's Irish Cream, introduced in 1974, provides you easily with all major essentials of an Irish Coffee (alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat) in a single liqueur, along with chocolate, vanilla, and burnt sugar! And although you can make your own version with Scotch, ironically, the term ‘Scotch Coffee’ historically has nothing to do with either whisky or coffee! Scotch Coffee was a recipe drunk in times of hardship when supplies of coffee had run out. It consisted of hot water, milk, sugar and a handful of burnt breadcrumbs. This hardscrabble concoction was concocted from the time coffee was first introduced into the UK, referencing the stereotypical thriftiness of the Scots. Sláinte! ☘️ 🇮🇪 ☕

Keep walking and keep dancing with this whisky-themed dance, one of many, for Scottish Country Dancers who enjoy a dram now and then! This 64 bar Strathspey and Jig Medley will definitely need a bit of the "water of life" to fuel you through the 128 bars!

Originally known as Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, the Johnnie Walker brand began as a humble venture by John "Johnnie" Walker, who started selling whisky in his grocer’s shop in Ayrshire, Scotland. Though popular during his lifetime, it was after his death in 1857 that the brand truly began to soar. His son, Alexander Walker, and later his grandson, Alexander Walker II, were instrumental in transforming the whisky into what would become the most widely distributed brand of blended Scotch whisky in the world.

Fans of science fiction may also recognize the brand from a cameo in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1982), where Harrison Ford’s character enjoys a glass of Johnnie Walker Black Label—poured from a sleek, futuristic Art Deco bottle designed specially for the film. Sláinte! Invite your favourite robot replicant to the next ceilidh! Sláinte! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🥃 😜 🥃 🥃

Possets and Poussettes in one dance?! If you think a splash of whisky in the punch might enhance the festivities, you’re probably right! The dance devisor behind this lively 40-bar jig, also called "Peter’s Caper", has choreographed nearly non-stop figures for all four couples—perfectly suited to a little pre-dance punch to keep the spirits high. But tread carefully, for even the most delicately spiced punch can inspire unplanned reels—or, in the case of eggnog, outright revelry! Eggnog, that creamy holiday indulgence beloved in the American colonies, owes its popularity to an abundance of eggs, dairy, and a healthy dose of liquor. Its origins trace back to the 14th-century posset, a warm, spiced mixture of hot milk curdled with ale or wine, designed to cheer both body and soul. Modern eggnog takes this up a notch with the addition of eggs, rich cream, and a bartender’s dream selection of rum, whiskey, sherry, brandy, or bourbon. Yet, this festive treat isn’t all sugar and spice—it also carries the infamous legacy of the Eggnog Riot of Christmas Eve in 1826 at West Point. Also known as the "Grog Mutiny, overindulgence in this traditional drink by cadets, led to complete Christmas Eve chaos and court-martials! ❤️ 💚 ❤️ 🥚 🥃 💛 🤍

According to the liqueur legend, Glayva was first produced in 1947 by wine and whisky merchant Ronald Morrison who wanted to create a liqueur that would warm and comfort.  Upon tasting the liquid for the first time, Hector, the warehouseman declared that it was ‘Gle Mhath” Gaelic for "very good."  From that point on the liqueur was named Glayva.

Feeling the need for a pint of plain? Fancy a pint (or two) to go with your Scottish Country Dancing? If you're partial to a dark, strong beer like stout, you'll feel right at home with a porter, a drink historically labeled with names like "Extra Porter," "Double Porter," and even "Stout Porter." This beloved brew hails from 19th-century London, where dockworkers, known as "river porters," made it their go-to after a long shift. The saying "mind your p's and q's" may even trace back to 17th-century pubs, where barmaids carefully poured pints and quarts, keeping tabs on thirsty customers. So, dancers, mind your own p’s and q’s on the floor—especially those three beats in the "pas de basque" — and nail the first setting step of this lively reel, cleverly named after a certain "Porter" who earned the preliminary Teaching Certificate. Cheers all around! 🤎 🤎 🤎 🍺 🍺 🍺

Inspired by the real events of 1941, when a cargo ship ran aground in the channel between Eriskay and South Uist, "Whisky Galore" is a comedic novel by Compton Mackenzie, set during World War II on the fictional Scottish Hebridean islands of Great Todday and Little Todday. The story unfolds when the islanders face a dire whisky shortage, a situation that reaches a critical point until the cargo ship S.S. Cabinet Minister runs aground nearby during a fog. The ship's precious cargo? 50,000 cases of whisky bound for America, now at risk of sinking into the sea. The islanders see this as a miraculous solution to their woes and embark on a series of clandestine operations to salvage the whisky under the cover of night, all while dodging the local Home Guard and customs officials. The novel formed the basis for the 1949 Ealing comedy of the same name, Whisky Galore! directed by Alexander Mackendrick, featuring a ceilidh with a Half Reel & Tulloch and and Scottish Country Dance Eightsome Reel! Slàinte! 🥃