Portal Login
© 2023 Vintage Acquisitions.
t: +44 (0)208 057 2001 e: info@vintageacquisitions.com · Established 2011
Vintage Acquisitions Vintage Acquisitions
  • Home
  • The Company
    • Who We Are
    • Why Use Us
    • Our Office
    • Our History
    • Vintage Whisky Group
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • FAQs
    • Video FAQs
  • Buy A Cask
    • Reasons To Buy
    • The Buying Process
    • Whisky Cask Ownership
    • Whisky Cask Investment Guide
    • Storage and Provenance
    • Trade Partnerships
    • Wholesale
    • Investment Portal
  • Sell A Cask
    • The Selling Process
    • Cask Valuation
    • Wine Valuation
  • Whisky By Regions
    • Whisky Distilleries
  • Market News
  • Contact
Portal Login
Vintage Acquisitions
Home / VA News / Burns Night – 25th January

Burns Night – 25th January

By Vintage-Acquisitions inVA News
Written by Gordon Coxhill, Whisky Enthusiast & Journalist

Little did a group of men, gathered around a table on 25 January 1797 remembering their friend who had died the previous year of a rheumatic condition, and reading his poetry aloud, imagine that more than 200 years later people around the world would still be doing the same thing.

Today, from Moscow to Melbourne, St. Louis to Shanghai, Burns Night is celebrated on the anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s poet, the people’s Bard, Robert Burns.

Born into a poor farming family in Alloway, South West Scotland, Robert’s father nevertheless ensured his son had a good early education, and the boy quickly discovered a love of reading. He started composing poetry as he worked on the farm. Indeed, one of his best loved, To A Mouse, is a heartfelt apology to a field mouse whose nest he destroyed while ploughing. A phrase from the poem…..  of mice and men……was used by another great humanitarian writer, John Steinback as the title for his superb novel of the tragic plight of itinerant farm labourers George and Lenny.

Burns’ first collection was published in 1786 and was an instant success, but his financial state remained parlous through much of his life, due to his generosity and providing for the women and children in his life. It was his love for and his championing of the rights of the common man that the poet celebrated in revolutionary Russia and China.

Hardly surprisingly, given his origins, that much of his work delights in the countryside and the nature to be found there. Comin’ Thro’ The Rye’ has been a mainstay of the traditional Scottish songbook for many years. But pride of place for whisky lovers must surely go to John Barleycorn, Burns’ brilliant, dramatic recreation of whisky production and the vital role of the grain.

‘Twill make a man forget his woe
‘Twill heighten all his joy.
‘Twill make the widow’s heart to sing
Tho’ the tear were in her eye.

So it is that, come the 25th of this month, groups large and small will gather around many thousands of tables, applaud the haggis as it is marched into the room shoulder high to the accompaniment of the piper’s twirl. Somebody will read Burns’ ode to ‘the chieftain o’ the pudding race, and tatties and neeps will be piled onto plates. The drink in the tiny little jugs by the side of each one will be whisky, for pouring over the haggis. And in the glasses too. Scotland’s national drink, with Scotland’s national dish to toast probably the world’s most celebrated poet.

Burns NightRobert Burnsscotlandwhisky
85
Like this post
Vintage Acquisitions | Burns Night - 25th January
86 Posts
Vintage-Acquisitions
  • UK-India talks offer 'golden opportunity' for Scotch Whisky
    Previous PostUK-India talks offer 'golden opportunity' for Scotch Whisky
  • Next PostMinisters warned over impact of failure to cut tariff on Scotch whisky
    UK-India talks offer 'golden opportunity' for Scotch Whisky

Related Posts

UK and India Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement: A Toast to Whisky and Economic Growth
Blog Industry News Investment Portal VA News

UK and India Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement: A Toast to Whisky and Economic Growth

Understanding Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Its relevance to Cask Whisky Investments
Blog Investment Portal VA News

Understanding Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Its relevance to Cask Whisky Investments

Annandale Distillery x Vintage Acquisitions Client Cask Filling Event
Industry News Portal VA News

Annandale Distillery x Vintage Acquisitions Client Cask Filling Event

Vintage Acquisitions live interview on GB News – Saturday 16th July 2022
Industry News Portal VA News

Vintage Acquisitions live interview on GB News – Saturday 16th July 2022

Leave a Reply (Cancel reply)

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Company

Brooks & Whitaker Limited trading as `Vintage Acquisitions`, Whisky House, Unit 3, 2 Newhams Row, London, SE1 3UZ

tel: +44 (0)208 057 2001
email: info@vintageacquisitions.com

Buy A Cask

  • Reasons To Buy
  • Buying Process
  • Storage & Provenance
  • Cask Ownership
  • Trade & Wholesale
  • Client Portal

Sell A Cask

  • The Selling Process
  • Cask Valuation
  • Wine Valuation

Useful Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • GDPR

Subscribe to newsletter

Vintage Acquisitions always recommend that you seek independent legal and financial advice prior to purchasing.

Company No. 7761569  |  VAT No. 127464313  |  WOWGR No. 127.4643.13/0001  |  Distributor of Denatured Alcohol DNA/209446  |  Excise ID. GBOG127464300  |  EORI No.: GB127464313000

vintage-acquisitions-logo

© 2025 Vintage Acquisitions

in
Call us: +44 (0)208 057 2001
Copy

Whisky Cask Investment Form