Wise man that he was, the writer J.B. Priestley knew that “Man, the creature who knows he must die, who has dreams larger than his destiny, which is forever working a confidence trick on him, needs an ally”.
His was tobacco. Mine happens to be single malt whisky.
Bertrand Russell once said something like: “Every time I consult a scholar and a fellow philosopher, I am made to feel quite sure that happiness is not possible. Yet when I talk to a gardener, I’m convinced of the opposite.”
Change “gardener” to “distiller” and you have my guiding philosophy.
Confront the malt whisky lover with nature and he must commune with it. The world twinkles and hums about him; life becomes miraculous and everything everlastingly picturesque, clearer and brighter. And positive.
With a wee dram in his hand, a decanter by his side, a gil in his bloodstream and a couple of miniatures in his pocket, the malt whisky devotee feels that he has life taped; he feels envied and enviable; a sane person in a mad world. Every ganglia quivers. And his whole body quivers in seemingly endless pleasure.
Every mouthful of a good malt is an exercise in aesthetic appreciation and philosophical consolation. Every inhalation causes a swoon. Every breath brings with its tranquility. Every drop connects the palate with the soul. Through every swirl and sip, you get the measure of the world and the people in it.
A dram brings content. Serenity is available in 3cl doses.
So well done Master of Malt for proclaiming the last Thursday of April “World Dram Day”.
Of course, equally, it could have been called Tot Day, Drop Day, Spot Day, Finger Day, Nippie-Sweetie or Thimbleful Day.
But the inaugural World Dram Day on 25th April will unite all those whisky enthusiasts who don’t think a miniature is a pesky measure. Who doesn’t get prissy about quantity over quality and believes that any good whisky is better than no whisky at all.
The newly dedicated day will bring together all those of us who have discovered that happiness can be found merely by moistening the bottom of a Glencairn glass.
For the last 14 years I have been involved in a highly sensual and passionate relationship the UK’s leading craft spirits retailer. The relationship is adulatory. Especially around Christmas when the Advent calendar come out. Fidelity is easy when a whisky consultant offers attractively priced and outstanding across-the-spectrum tasting sets.
Dave Worthington, Global Brand Ambassador for That Boutique-y Whisky Company says:
“Master of Malt wants to democratise premium spirits, so everyone can have the chance to try incredible liquids, without having to invest in a whole bottle.
“We will also be hosting an all-day event in partnership with Drinks By The Dram and Dram Bar in Central London.”
Located on Soho’s Denmark Street, Dram is set over three floors within a 17th century Grade II Listed building. It boasts two bars, a whisky shop, outdoor terrace and a private pool room with ready-to-drink cocktail vending machine.
You will learn first-hand that the best whisky is poured without scientific accuracy. Socially, a dram’s potable volume depends largely on the mood and generosity of the server. Whether that be you or someone else.
Although probably derived from the weight of an ancient Greek coin, a dram is not a unit of measurement. It is a unit of contentment.
For more information please visit: www.worlddramday.com.
Author Bio:
Kevin Pilley is a former professional cricketer and chief staff writer of PUNCH magazine. His humour, travel, food and drink work appear worldwide, and he has been published in over 800 titles.
Photographs courtesy of Master of Malt
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