This Burns Night, we’ve teamed up with BBC Radio Scotland presenter and whisky-lover, Vic Galloway,  to launch a national poetry competition especially for whisky fans.

‘The Spirit of Whisky’ competition invites whisky lovers from across the UK to submit their own seven-line poem, celebrating what they enjoy most about this beloved tipple.

Coinciding with this year’s Burns Night celebrations, the competition will run from 25th January for one-week only, with the winning poet receiving a rare, vintage bottle of whisky from Whisky Investment Partners’ prestigious collection.

Nothing captures the spirit of Burns Night more than a whisky-inspired poem, so to celebrate the launch, we’ve commissioned our own original Burns Night poem, read in true Scot-style by the wonderful Vic Galloway.

Burns Night is an annual Scottish tradition in which Scots around the world come together to celebrate the life and works of the nation’s most famous poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). The night has evolved to become a celebration of all things Scottish, including whisky, bagpiping and Highland dancing, falling on the poet’s birthday (25th January) in his honour.

Alistair Moncrieff, Managing Partner at Whisky Investment Partners, commented: “Burns Night is one of the biggest nights in the whisky calendar, and so we wanted to do something special to mark the occasion. Inspired by the great Robert Burns, the competition gives budding poets the opportunity to tell us why they love whisky, in a fun, creative way. We’re thrilled to have presenter and whisky expert, Vic Galloway, kick things off with this fantastic Burns Night poem.”

Among poetry recitals and speeches, the celebrations also include great Scottish traditions such as haggis-eating, boozy toasts, and even a traditional Scottish folk dance called a Cèilidh. Throughout the night, Scotch whisky is the toasting tipple of choice, and can normally be seen in the hands of all during the ceremonial slicing of the haggis.

To enter Whisky Investment Partners’ The Spirit Of Whisky competition, please email your seven-line poem submission to wip@hatchpr.co.uk along with your name and contact number. The competition opens 00:01am Tuesday 25th January 2022 for all residents of the UK over the age of 18, and closes 00:01am 1st February 2022.

To kick off the competition, here is our very own entry.

ODE TO BURN’S NIGHT

“Slainte mhath!

To Bobby burns’ splendor.

A wee dram o’ gold, jus’ a lick o’ pale Amber.

To share’n the contents of God’s own tears,

‘Ack! There’s nawt better.

Te share nary a drop alon.

Fer auld lang syne,

Fer each mouse,

Each man,

Woman in kind.

Whisky is for the conesseur,

Let the rest drink from bachuss’ vines.

Ah! The sweet scent of guid Scotch corn an’ barley ticklin’ mine snoot!

One teasin’ nostril at a time.

Brings back mem’ries,

Mem’ries of auld bear hugs,

With old bear friends.

She’s a-firey maiden,

peaty’r an’ the worm that wriggle upon ‘er!

swallowy strumpet,

Come fixin’ me a-wrakin’.

An’ leeve me fer a slumberin’ Loch,

Now a body warm,

A cozy fire,

An’ a still day.

Aft shaken off cuild elbows,

An’ wi’ wame a touch light.

Thou canna but agree,

What a brilliant night.”