WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
THE WHISKY TASTING EVENT OF 2010

The time has come to bring you the details of the great Whisky Tasting Event. The essential details are in the sidebar at the right but the real information is below !

The evening is, primarily, to give you the opportunity to learn about and better appreciate the fine whiskies of Glenfiddich.

A range of whiskies from this great distillery will be presented for your tasting with an expert from the company to answer all your questions, introduce the subtleties and explain how to get the most from the products.

Our whisky tastings are always evenings of fun, interest and good company. As you will be tasting a range of the products, please be sure to arrange transport so that you won't be drinking and driving. This event is open to all (over eighteen) and not limited to members of the Outback Wine Tasting Club. That said, it is an opportunity to meet many of the members and make new friends.

Places are limited so please be sure to call at Portland Wine Cellars to secure your place. Payment in advance is essential for this event to be sure of a place. Many have already taken the opportunity to book their places, so please book early.

Only a couple of days after Burns' Night, we could not miss the opportunity to make the evening go with a bang - well, more a drone, with a piper to play in the haggis.

 

As you can see, your host, Dave Smith, takes everything seriously and he recommends all Scots attending to wear their appropriate kilt. Fortunately for all concerned, Dave is not entitled to wear a kilt so we are at least spared that sight !

We have acquired the services of Mr Ian Murray to present Burns 'Address to a Haggis'. We are aware that a piper playing that 'instrument' originally designed to bring fear to the 'sassenachs' may be thought daunting to some. We can assure you that all claymores and other un-necessary equipment will be removed from the attending Scots before admission ! These Scots are friendly but we can always sing the sixth verse of our National Anthem - "Lord grant that Marshal Wade, May by thy mighty aid, Victory bring. May he sedition hush, And like a torrent rush, Rebellious Scots to crush, God save the Queen." That will keep them under control...

The haggis will be presented as part of the refreshments that will be provided. Fresh haggis is, of course, a delicacy and you may be assured that ours will be freshly caught, cooked and prepared in the traditional manner. Even as you read this, Christine Smith is planning to catch a wild haggis (always the tastiest though more rare than the farmed type) and you see here part of the details of her meticulous capture plans.

 

We are looking forward to a great night and to your company.

 

For you delight - here is the 'Address to a Haggis' together with a few of the words translated to help with the understanding !

 

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,	cheerful
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,	above
Painch, tripe, or thairm:	paunch, guts
Weel are ye wordy of a grace	worthy
As lang's my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,	buttocks
Your pin wad help to mend a mill	skewer
In time o need,
While thro your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,	wipe
An cut you up wi ready slight,	skill
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,	digging
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve	well swollen bellies soon burst
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
'Bethankit' hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,	sicken
Or fricassee wad mak her spew	disgust
Wi perfect sconner,
Looks down wi sneering, scornfu view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,	weak, rush
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit:	fist, nut
Thro bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll make it whissle;
An legs an arms, an heads will sned,
Like taps o thrissle.	tops, thistle
Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware	watery splaashes
That jaups in luggies:	porringers
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis!