The Arché Scepticism Conference will close with a whisky tasting led by David Wishart.

We’ll tak a cup of kindness yet—the story of Scotch whisky

David Wishart, School of Management

Discover the flavours of Scotch malt whiskies at this talk and tasting by David Wishart, author of “Whisky Classified: Choosing Single Malts by Flavour” and Research Fellow at the University of St. Andrews.

David will guide you through the history and romance of Scotch whisky, from the aqua vitae of the early monasteries, the alchemist’s art of turning barley into medicine, and hedonistic uisge beatha of remote Scottish crofts, to the taverns of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and hot toddies in New Town drawing rooms. A Royal romance with Scotch whisky began with George IV, flourished under Queen Victoria, and continues with the Prince of Wales today.

Whisky is evoked in the poetry of Burns, in the travelogues of Stevenson, and in the art of Landseer and Wilkie. London toasted with brandy in the Regency period, but when a tiny phylloxera beetle devastated Cognac in 1863 the upper classes turned to whisky and the famous “Scotch” brands were born.

Today, due to variable peating and cask selection and preparation, the flavour of malt whisky is more diverse than ever. David describes his unique classification of Scotch malt whiskies by flavour, with six fine malts to taste – Balblair, Ben Nevis, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Glengoyne, and Smokehead (below). It will also be possible to purchase signed copies of “Whisky Classified”, price £14.99. His book will include the latest release of Whisky Analyst, David’s method for profiling and classifying new malts, with his extended directory of around 200 tasting notes. Further information at: www.whiskyclassified.com.