Whisky & Witches
August 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 23rd and 24th - The Mother Superior Bar Whisky & Witches is a two-hour experience that breaks away from the traditional "male, pale, and stale" approach to whisky tasting. Created by Danish singer, composer, and Whisky Ambassador Christine Kammerer, along with Jane Ross, owner of Edinburgh’s The Mother Superior Bar it combines expertly guided whisky tastings with riveting storytelling about the untold role of women in the whisky trade and their persecution as witches. Each of our five whiskys was brought to life with captivating stories and folklore, tailored to complement the unique character, myth and story behind every dram. Telling the story of women's role in the whisky trade and how it became intertwined with accusations of witchcraft in Scotland and Celtic countries is crucial in shedding light on a significant, yet often hidden, aspect of our Scottish history and one I’m ashamed to say I was largely unaware of as a Scot. Sharing these stories today not only honours their memory and contribution to our national drink but also serves as a powerful reminder of the historical struggles against sexism in the drinks industry, one that our hosts shared from their own experiences still exists sadly today even for an owner of a whisky bar and been involved in the whisky industry for decades. The highlight for me was the stunning sounds of Nordic and Celtic folk music from Kammerer whose blend of folk music and original compositions were a perfect accompaniment, adding a depth that heightened the entire experience. Whisky & Witches is an enlightening journey into a richer, more diverse whisky culture than we have known before in Scotland and whose true story deserves to be told and championed. Lee Hutchison |
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