October Outturn 2024 Ambassador’s Address
I’ve never been really into poetry. I’ll admit, I’ve often found it all a bit awkward and naff. I think it’s a combination of things: spotty university students ham-fistedly bashing through some Allen Ginsberg or Jack Kerouac as a means to fight the system through Beatnik prose. Or awkward young chaps stumbling through some Keats or Byron to impress some young women at the local pub on Tuesday night “Poetry Night” with the $20 steak and pint special. A steak and pint price we can only dream of today…
It really wasn’t until around 2016 when I helped co-host a Burns’ Supper with SMWS, and I wasn’t really ready for what was about to happen. One of our semi-regular ambassadors, Anthony Cowie, was standing up the front of the Royal Automobile Club in Sydney, holding a giant blade above a haggis, and burst forth into Robbie Burns’ poetry. This was marvellous. This was like an operatic performance of words put together. I had no idea poetry could sound like this. It evoked the land, the people, the love, and the storytelling of whisky. It was an ear-opening moment for me personally. The same way a whisky epiphany happened the first time I tasted an SMWS whisky – that instant reaction of “what the hell is going on here, I had no idea whisky could taste like this…!”. It’s also worth noting here that Anthony still hosts for SMWS now and can often be found presenting SMWS to audiences through his charitable work which we’re more than happy to support.
Suddenly, poetry wasn’t just terrible renditions of Keats, it was music. I could play just about anything to anyone on trumpet, but the idea of even reciting more than 2 lines of poetry would send me into a spin of anxiety. No thanks. But, after Anthony’s recitation, I had a renewed appreciation for poetry and its importance in the storytelling of our world. Centuries of art and grace summarised in one evening.
Beyond that, the SMWS has been heavily influenced by poets in our naming of casks, and the beautiful prose of tasting notes. Much of this has been from Robin Laing, our ‘whisky bard’, who performs as a singer, songwriter, poet and author. Truly a remarkable bloke who has some of the most interesting stories across whisky.
Whisky is, as exemplified this month, much, much more than just a drink. Through the storytelling of poets and the historical place it has occupied now and then, a timepiece of our history, our defeats, our wins, and the people that you get to share it with. We might celebrate Robbie’s birthday in late January, but this month, we celebrate all poetry that weaves a story, paints a picture, and brings forth the good times that we love to share with members and friends around the world.
Cheers,
Matt
This article is featured in October 2024 Outturn — bottles will be available to purchase on Friday the 4th of October at midday AEST exclusively to members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Not a member? Click here to learn more about the world’s most colourful whisky club.
