Is there any more whisky? Always!
Whisky played an important role in Outlander. It kept the Scottish Highlanders warm on the road, calmed wedding night jitters, quenched a thirst over a chess board and while conducting business involving intrigue, was the nightcap of choice, used as an anesthesia, and eventually became a source of income for entrepreneurs and smugglers alike.
Robert Burns (1759–1796), also called Rabbie Burns, lived during a period of oppression in and against Scotland. His songs and poetry often included lines about whisky. He was outspoken in his political or civil observations regarding the inequities that existed at the time for the Scottish people. [1]
In response to the Scotch Distillery Act of 1786, a law designed to “benefit London gin distillers by hiking up duties on whisky exported to England and taxes on Scottish still capacity,” Burns wrote “The Author’s Earnest Cry and Prayer,” which contains the line, “Freedom and Whisky Gang Thegither,” a plea to the Scottish members of Parliament to testify publicly to the devastating impact of “that curst restriction.” Rabbie Burns is considered the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated annually with his own day. [2]
In 1746, with the Battle of Culloden rapidly approaching, Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) fully expected to die during the battle. The only way to protect his pregnant wife, Claire (Caitriona Balfe), was for her to return to her own time. Their parting at the stones was heartbreaking for both of them.
20 years have passed, and Claire has never forgotten Jamie or stopped loving him. On a trip to London with her grown daughter, Brianna, in 1968, she learns of the death of Reverend Wakefield. He had been tracing the genealogy of her first husband, Frank, in 1945 before she traveled back in time. They go to Scotland for his funeral, an event that brought back all of the memories of Claire’s time with Jamie. There they meet the Reverend’s son, Roger Wakefield MacKenzie (Richard Rankin), a young historian.
Roger takes up the search for Jamie, eventually finding a news article from 1765 in Edinburgh with the quote “Freedom and Whisky Gang Thegither.” Claire had once quoted that exact line to Jamie before Robert Burns was even born. The printer’s name is listed as Alexander Malcolm (Jamie’s two middle names) and is proof that he was still alive. It is this article that gives Claire the courage she needs to travel back in time—back to Jamie Fraser.
In 1767, Jamie and Claire settled in North Carolina on a large tract of land they named Fraser’s Ridge. It is there that Jamie, with the help of his family, starts making his own whisky, eventually producing some of the finest whisky in the Carolinas.
Like his character Jamie Fraser on Outlander, Sam Heughan has a love of fine whisky. To honor his time on the Outlander series, he wanted to create a unique Scotch whisky—one that would also pay homage to his home, Scotland, by featuring the Scottish national animal, the unicorn, on the label. [3]
Sam founded Sassenach Spirits, named after Jamie’s special nickname for Claire, ‘Sassenach’, and worked with Master Blender Michael Henry of Loch Lomond Distillery to produce The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky. This multi-award-winning top-shelf whisky was released in early 2020.
Since then, Sam has added El Tequileno, ‘The Sassenach Select’ Double Wood Reposado Tequila, and The Sassenach Wild Scottish Gin to his line, both spirits winning multiple awards as well. [3] [4]
Let’s raise a glass to Sam Heughan, Outlander, and Rabbie Burns. Sláinte Mhath! (Good Health)
References:
[1] Wikipedia: Robert Burns
[2] The American Institute of Economics: Freedom and Whisky Go Together Like Tyranny and Oppression
[3] Tasting Table: History of The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky
[4] Sassenach Spirits Company
