First Footin!
A guid New Year to ane an’ a’
and mony may ye see
Count down to the Bells.
At this time of the year I get a little homesick, I
start to reminisce of Hogmanay from my younger days back in Scotland, thinking
of the first footing, I will stray a little here and explain first footin
before I get back to my Wee Dram of Choice.
This is a wonderful
New Year’s tradition all over Scotland. “First Footing”. It’s not exclusive to Scotland mind you, but as a Scotsman I was raised on.
There are various components you need for your First Footin Kit, so here goes:
The first person across your doorstep after midnight brings you good or bad luck for the coming year. A tall, dark, handsome man bearing the right gift will decide the luck.
The gift is for the house and traditionally the gift is either one or a combination
·
A coin
(for prosperity)
·
Bread
(for food)
·
Salt
(for flavour)
·
Coal
(for warmth)
·
Whisky
(for good cheer)
For me and my upbringing we used shortbread as bread, Whisky and a piece of Coal, as a Scotsman the Whisky is a must LOL, I would at this point tell you that I was the Tall, dark, handsome man, however that was a number of years ago, now the dark is gray.
Its 25 years ago I
left Scotland and at this time of the year I have fond childhood memories of my
Grandmother and Grandfather preparing frantically for this yearly occasion.
Before the bells
(which is just before midnight) we always ate Steak Pie, this is something I
generally do each year until now, although my first footin days are over the
enjoyment of a wee dram with friends toasting the new year is still a must.
I wish one and all
a Happy New Year filled with prosperity, good health, warmth and good cheer. Most of all, I
wish you all a New Year filled with many a new Dram shared with friends and
family and if not then sharing and showing kindness to strangers.
Ok now my Wee Dram of Choice for Hogmanay is something special - Highland Park 30 year old, nice to open something a little special at this time of the year so here it is.
Highland Park 30 Year Old
How do you drink a magical Dram on an
occasion like this? In your glencairn glass, slowly, indulgently and with good
company. Highland Park is a distillery that you never hear a bad word about.
They have over the years never failed to produce consistent, outstanding
expressions.
Highland Park 30 year old is definitely one I
tried this year and very happy that I did so. Originally released in 2005, it
was the flagship for the distillery until the launch of the 40 year old. I have
tried over time the 12, 18 and 21; I have in my collection Thor and Loki but
have not opened them as yet. Highland Parks 30 year old is matured in 100
percent refill ex-Sherry casks. This is done with the majority of older malts
to control the casks influence over time. I am led to believe that this one is
matured only in European oak.
Established in 1798 by Magnus Eunson, Highland
Park is now owned by the Edrington Group and is located in Kirkwall on the
Island of Orkney, making it the most northern distillery in Scotland.
ABV: 48.1%
Nose: Toffee, Fudge with creamy chocolate and heather, sherried raisins and berries, spices.
Palate: This one is complex with a subtle peat smoke nut sweet, slight
spice but not hot, good aged sherry, then comes honey, dried fruits and a light
smoke.
Finish:
Oaky, light smoke and spices.
Comments: Bloody
heaven………………. If the New Year is as good as this Dram then were laughing,
Wonderful, really this is one of the best wee drams I have tasted.
Get
it…
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