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), the Scotch Whisky Association and a chosen distillery, has been launched.
Released on World Whisky Day (18 May), the Makar’s Malt II is a limited-edition single malt produced by Lindores Abbey Distillery, marking the tenure of Kathleen Jamie as Scotland’s national poet.
Chosen by the Makar for its strong ties to the local community, Lindores Abbey Distillery is also considered the spiritual home of Scotch; the first written reference to its production records Brother John Cor, a Lindores monk commissioned by King James IV to turn eight bolls of malt into aqua vitae.
Each bottle includes a poem written by the Makar 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% of the proceeds will be donated to the Makar’s Legacy Fund, which supports artists’ participation in a professionally recorded podcast series of interviews and readings with contemporary Scottish poets.
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.
Kathleen Jamie, Scots Makar, commented: “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.”
Makar’s Malt II (ABV 55%) is limited to 481 bottles and is available online from Lindores Abbey Distillery.
