Of the many majestic clippers that plowed the seas and oceans in the 19th century, the one and only survived to this day and even retained the ability to be afloat. His name is "Catti Sark." So he was named in honor of a fabulous young witch, easy and quick, invented by Robert Burns (poem "Tom O'Shenter"). A beautiful sailboat, a legend - all this has long inspired people of art. However, the image of a sailboat was 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. He is the whiskey "Catti Sark."
Clipper
The history of whiskey, its namesake ship and the whole old Kingdom is inextricable. The main admirers and consumers of the drink are its compatriots, residents of the cold northern islands. And they just can’t live without beautiful legends and old traditions! Therefore, if you decide to join the host of admirers of whiskey "Cutty Sark", it is better to also learn the materiel. The Scots and the British say that without it in any way.
So, the Cutty Sark sailboat began its career in 1869 with the delivery of Chinese tea to Europe. Clipper reached London first, and its owner could set any price for tea. He competed with competitors in the delivery of Australian wool. High speed allowed him to arrive in Europe before anyone else, so his cargo cost much more than its competitors.
At one time, Cutty Sark was considered the fastest clipper. Today he is resting on one of the embankments of London. It features a museum and is open to visitors.
The birth of a new whiskey
Once the owners of the company Berry Bros gathered for breakfast. Their conversation dragged on for a long time, because the topic was extremely important - the production of a new kind of whiskey. Actions took place in early 1923.
It is worth mentioning that Berry's has always been a family business. This company was founded in 1690 and since then has only flourished and developed.
The main companion, Francis Barry, has always loved whiskey in a light, natural color. It was from its submission that the best varieties of Scottish malt formed the basis of the recipe for a new drink. And it was his word that played a key role in deciding on the light color of the new Scottish whiskey “Cutty Sark”.
Of course, on that day, March 23, the drink still had no name. And it was invented by the Scottish artist James McBay, the guest of the companions. He offered to take advantage of the moment, because at that time the clipper of the same name simply bathed in the glory. According to the Scot in love with the sea, a happy name would bring success to the new whiskey. Moreover, the name was simply imbued with the spirit of Scotland, because the fairy-tale 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 enthusiastically received. And MacBay immediately suggested the following - to issue the appropriate label. Without delaying it, he personally painted it, and so well that his sketch is still at its core. For all the years of existence of whiskey "Catti Sark" the label has not changed.
Needless to say, the tandem of excellent recipes and great design instantly bore fruit? 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 an increase in sobriety indicators, but to an increase in the volume of smuggling and counterfeiting. Bases of smugglers were simply crowded nearby islands, including the Bahamas. Among such dealers was a certain captain William McCoy, an American by birth. He became one of the first merchants to buy and deliver the best Scottie Cutty Sark to the United States. Its price in those parts was incredibly high, which made the risky smuggling business a real tidbit. At the same time, Captain McCoy personally guaranteed the quality, and his surname soon became something of a symbol of the authenticity of this drink.
Sensing unprecedented profits, Francis Barry himself went on a visit to the Bahamas. He came to the conclusion that interfering in the affairs of the United States is simply stupid, but the development and all kinds of support for the intelligence network can bring good results. And the company established traffic in Nassau (Bahamas).
Thus, even the American market, oppressed by the prohibition of law, took Catty Sark into the arms of whiskey. Reviews of those who managed to love the drink quickly spread from state to state, the popularity of the drink grew. Catti Sark holds the position won in those years to this day.
Distinctive features
Cutty Sark has a noble natural shade. When creating a drink, blending masters use about 30 single-malt spirits from various parts of Scotland, which leads to a wonderful taste. Whiskey ripens in oak barrels for at least four years. Then the alcohols are mixed with grain whiskey and again aged in barrels, after which they are bottled. Among the produced varieties there are those that are aged 12 or more years. The average price of one bottle is 1000 rubles.
Consumer culture
Do not drink whiskey in the morning. And even lunch time is not quite suitable for him. This is a drink for the dark. The Scots believe that eating whiskey is sacrilege. Therefore, in an extreme case, mineral water or ice is added to it. And they look with reproach at the Americans, who are ready to mix this elixir of the gods even with Coca-Cola.
The best sommeliers in the world agree that it is very possible to bite whiskey . Only a snack should be unusual and expensive: oysters, grilled game, red fish, caviar.
Serve whiskey "Catti Sark" preferably in thick glasses on the leg or without it, filled not more than a third.