Makar’s Malt II released for World Whisky Day

“I speak, with a liquid tongue” – Scots Makar and Lindores Abbey Distillery mark World Whisky Day with release of second edition of commemorative Scotch Whisky

The second edition of the Makar’s Malt, the commemorative charity bottling of Scotch Whisky in collaboration between the Scots Makar (the National Poet for Scotland) and the Scotch Whisky Association and a chosen distillery, has been launched. Released on World Whisky Day, the Makar’s Malt II is a limited-edition single malt Scotch Whisky, produced by Lindores Abbey Distillery, marking the tenure of Kathleen Jamie as Scotland’s national poet.

Lindores Abbey Distillery was chosen following a tender process arranged by the Scotch Whisky Association in late 2023. Chosen by Jamie for their strong ties to the local community, Lindores Abbey Distillery is also considered ‘the spiritual home of Scotch Whisky’, with the first written reference to the production of Scotch Whisky recording Brother John Cor, a Lindores monk who was commissioned by King James IV to turn 8 bolls of malt into Aqua Vitae. Each bottle includes a poem written by Jamie to commemorate the bottling, entitled THE MAKAR’S MALT and inspired by the local area and history of the distillery.

For every bottle sold, 10% will be donated to the Makar’s Legacy Fund, which supports artists’ participation in a professionally recorded podcast series of interviews and readings with ‘the most vital voices in contemporary Scottish poets’. The podcast is presented by Kathleen Jamie and broadcaster Alistair Heather, with the majority recorded in the Scottish Poetry Library.

This edition follows on from the inaugural Makar’s Malt, released by Isle of Raasay Distillery in collaboration with Jackie Kay, the third Scots Makar, on International Women’s Day in 2021.

THE MAKAR'S MALT

read by Kathleen Jamie

Lindores Abbey Distillery & The Makar's Malt II 

Kathleen Jamie, Scots Makar:

“As a poet, I’m interested in language, accent and dialect. And, like poetry, whisky speaks with a local dialect formed of its land and rain, its grain and rivers. Lindores Abbey and the Distillery are part of our community. We understand each other.”

Mark Kent, Chief Executive at the Scotch Whisky Association:

“It’s a pleasure to raise a dram to a new edition of the Makar’s Malt on World Whisky Day. Both the Makar’s poetry and Scotch Whisky are emblematic of the environment and land they are produced in, and we’re delighted to be able facilitate a second edition of the Makar’s Malt, this time with Kathleen Jamie and Lindores Abbey Distillery.

“We hope it will inspire people to discover more about the rich history of Scotch Whisky, and the strong connections between poetry and whisky. Scotland’s national drink has inspired poets across the country – and indeed, the world – for centuries, including our Bard, Robert Burns, who himself was linked to the Scotch Whisky industry as an exciseman in his latter years.”

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs & Culture:

“I am delighted to see the release of the second edition of the Makar’s Malt, to coincide with World Whisky Day. This wonderful collaboration celebrates the long traditions of the whisky industry and also of Scots poetry. Whisky and poetry –  a perfect combination to showcase the best of Scotland.”

Lorena Baez Subiabre, Blender & Production Administrator:

“It has been an honour for Lindores Abbey Distillery, the spiritual home of Scotch Whisky, to be selected by the Makar to create the Makar’s Malt II. As a business with such a rich heritage, we are highly enthusiastic about preserving history, alongside celebrating whisky and poetry which are key to the Scottish identity.

“I’ve been delighted to work closely with Kathleen on the creation of the Makar’s Malt II. We offered different prototypes including various types of casks and differing strengths, so she had a multitude of options to identify her perfect dram.

“We proudly present The Makar’s Malt II, which has been matured exclusively in two sister Bourbon casks of exceptional quality for over five years. It has developed a distinctive profile - rich and complex flavours, with notes of oaky vanilla, honey, orchard fruits, tropical pineapple, and mango, are well balanced with cinnamon spices and citrus touches.”

Lorena Baez Subiabre, Blender & Production Administrator at Lindores Abbey Distillery

Notes to the editor:

About the Makar’s Malt II

• The limited edition Makar’s Malt II, 55.0% ABV is available at lindoresabbeydistillery.com/shop/makars-malt/ (link live from midday 12:00 on World Whisky Day, May 18 2024)
• It is a limited edition of 481 bottles
• The bottle was created by Lindores Abbey Distillery in collaboration with the Scots Makar Kathleen Jamie, with legal guidance from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA)
• The label includes the poem ‘The Makar’s Malt’, written by Kathleen Jamie, reproduced in full below
• Find images of the Makar's Malt II and Lorena Baez Subiabre, Blender here. 

About Kathleen Jamie

Kathleen Jamie was born and raised in Scotland. Writing in both English and Scots, Jamie is a poet, essayist and editor. Among others, her collections include Black Spiders (1982) and the Forward Poetry Prize and Scottish Book of the Year award-winning collection The Tree House (2004).

She has served as the fourth Scots Makar, the National Poet for Scotland, since August 2021, a three-year position whereby a poet is supported to create new work and promote poetry throughout the country, speaking for the nation’s community of poets and to their readers.

About Lindores Abbey Distillery

Found by the river Tay, Lindores Abbey Distillery was reopened by the McKenzie-Smith family in 2017, with their first single malt whisky released in 2021. Known as the ‘spiritual home of Scotch Whisky’, the earliest written reference to Scotch Whisky, or Aqua Vitae, appears in the 1494 Exchequer Roll, recording a Brother John Cor, a Lindores monk, who was commissioned by King James IV to turn 8 bolts of malt into Aqua Vitae.

As a small, family-run distillery, Lindores Abbey Distillery aims to learn as much as they can from the great Scottish distillers around it, past and present, and from others much further afield, and are delighted to be bringing a very modern whisky-making approach to this ancient site.

Makar’s Malt Poem

I speak with the brogue of earth and grain

I speak, with a liquid tongue

Of men of faith and apple trees,

And rain that slakes the Lindores Burn.

I hold time, and time is golden.

Are the mature not wise? Good! We agree.

A friend to centuries of knowing,

I hold deep talks with history.

Savour me now: from my copper stills

Flow dialects of distinctive lands:

Field, hill, firth, wood, abbey, fire,

 All alive, in the glass in your hand