Luke Pernotto

Robert Burns was a writer and poet who was able to capture the heart and emotion of Scotland. As Scottish culture spreads across the world many looked to Burns’ writings to give them that link back to their homeland. Many of these expatriates celebrate their Scottish heritage by celebrating Robert Burns on his birthday of 25 January.

The Scotch are not the only one who left their homeland to pursue success aboard. Each look back to something or someone from their John try to provide a link to make sure that there is still a tie to where they came from. As an American living in Japan I have noticed a little of both. There are lyrics and writings that remind me of home and I see Japanese poetry on many statues and memorials around Okinawa.

For most if you think of Japan and poetry the most common thought would be the haiku. The haiku originally was the opening stanzas to a longer poem known as renga. Each country has a different template for the haiku to be composed. The Haiku Society of America (yes that is a real organization) has standardized a 17 syllable format, but notes that they can be shorter. This is commonly in the form of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, then 5 syllables.

Tonight I celebrated the Scottish Bard with his namesake scotch whisky, Robert Burns produced by Isle of Arran Distillers. Even when I saw this bottle on the shelf I knew the distillers were playing more on the poets name on the bottle than what was in the bottle.

I tried the glass neat. The scent from the glass was a light saltiness. There was a very slight burn on the nose. From deep inhales the smell of light leather comes through and faint smell of alcohol. The flavor was malty sweetness with a buttery mouthfeel. As the taste is swallowed there is the smallest burn on the back of the throat. The whisky had a smooth mouthfeel, but there was a tingleness in the mouth. There was a faint taste of peat on the finish. Alcohol warmth is pronounced on the mouthfeel as you consume.