Scottish whiskey "Cutty Sark", its history, description, photo

Of the many majestic clippers who plowedseas and oceans in the XIX century, a single survived to the present day and even preserved the opportunity to stay afloat. His name is "Cutty Sark". So it was named after the fairy-tale little witch, light and fast, invented by Robert Burns (poem "Tom O" Shenter. ") A beautiful sailboat, a legend - it has long inspired the people of art, but the image of the sailboat is reflected not only in literature , painting and cinema, but also in the industrial production of one of the best varieties of alcohol in the world.It is whiskey "Cutty Sark".

Clipper

The history of whiskey, its namesake-ship and all the oldKingdoms are inseparable. The main admirers and consumers of the drink are his compatriots, residents of the cold northern islands. And they simply can not live without beautiful legends and ancient legends! Therefore, if you decide to join the host of admirers of whiskey "Cutty Sark", better, too, learn the match. The Scots and the British assure that without it in any way.

So, the sailboat Cutty Sark began his career in the1869 with the delivery of Chinese tea to Europe. The clipper reached London first, and its owner could set any price for tea. Competed with the competition, he and the delivery of Australian wool. High speed allowed him to arrive in Europe before all, so his cargoes cost much more than competitors.

At one time Cutty Sark was considered the fastest clipper. Today he rests on one of London's waterfront. It has a museum and is open to visitors.

The birth of a new whiskey

Once the owners of the company Berry Bros gatheredat breakfast. Their conversation dragged on for a long time, because the topic was extremely important - the production of a new type of whiskey. Actions took place in early 1923.

It is worth mentioning that Berry's has always been a family business, it was founded in 1690 and since then has only flourished and developed.

The main companion, Francis Barry, has always lovedwhiskey light natural color. It was from his presentation that the best varieties of Scottish malts were the basis for the recipe for the new drink. And it was his word that played a key role in deciding the light color of the new Scottish whiskey "Cutty Sark".

Of course, on that day, March 23, the drink stillhad no name. And invented his Scottish artist James McBay - guest companions. He offered to take advantage of the moment, because at that time the clipper of the same name was simply bathed in the rays of glory. In the opinion of a lover in the sea of ​​a Scotsman, a happy name would bring success to a new whiskey. Especially since the name was simply imbued with the spirit of Scotland, because both the fairy witch and the handsome clipper were from this northern country. And what could be better for Scotch whiskey than a good Scottish name? The idea was received with enthusiasm. And MacBay immediately suggested the following - to issue the appropriate label. Without delay, he personally painted it, but so successfully that his sketch lies at its base until now. For all the years of the existence of the "Cutty Sark" whiskey, the label was practically unchanged.

Needless to say, the tandem of an excellent recipe and a wonderful design instantly paid off? The new whiskey quickly spread to the British Isles and beyond.

Conquest of America

It would seem that the US market is simply inaccessible. After all, since 1920 there was a dry law. Of course, the state ban on the import and sale of alcohol contributed not so much to the growth of sobriety, as to the growth of smuggling and falsification. The bases of smugglers were just overcrowded nearby islands, including the Bahamas. Among such dealers was a certain captain William McCoy, an American by birth. He became one of the first traders who bought and transported the best Scottish whiskey "Cutty Sark" to the States. Its price in those parts was incredibly high, which made the risky contraband business a real tidbit. At the same time, Captain McCoy personally guaranteed quality, and his name soon became something of a symbol of the authenticity of this drink.

Sensing an unprecedented profit, with a visit to the Bahamaswent himself to Francis Barry. He came to the conclusion that it is simply silly to interfere in the US affairs, but the development and all-round support of the agent network can bring good results. And the company has established traffic in Nasau (the Bahamas).

Thus, even oppressed by a dry lawThe American market took into the embrace whiskey "Cutty Sark." Reviews of those who had time to love the drink, quickly spread from state to state, the popularity of the drink grew. The positions of "Cutty Sark", won in those years, continue to this day.

Distinctive features

Cutty Sark has a noble natural shade. When creating a drink, the blender master uses about 30 single-malt spirits from different parts of Scotland, which causes a wonderful taste. Whiskey ripens in oak barrels for a minimum of four years. Then the alcohols are mixed with the grainy whiskey and re-aged in barrels, after which they are bottled. Among the produced varieties there are also those that are aged 12 or more years. The average price of one bottle is 1000 rubles.

The culture of consumption

Whiskey does not drink since morning. And even lunch time for him does not quite fit. This is a drink for the dark time of the day. The Scots believe that having a whiskey is blasphemy. Therefore, in extreme cases, add mineral water or ice to it. And they look with reproach at Americans, ready to mix this elixir of gods even with Coca-Cola.

The best sommeliers of the world agree that it is very possible to have a whiskey. Only the snack should be unusual and expensive: oysters, fried game, red fish, caviar.

Serve whiskey "Cutty Sark" preferably in thick glasses with or without a stem, filled with no more than a third.