Whiskey Selection: Halloween Special – Scottish Field

Peter Ranscombe takes a light-hearted look at how the Scotch whiskey industry is gearing up for Halloween and beyond.

The Scotch Malt Whiskey Society is hosting its first Halloween party on Thursday at its Queen Street bar in Edinburgh.

The first-floor library will house a clairvoyant and tarot card reader, while the Pip Hills Room will screen black-and-white horror films.

General Manager Sarah Prior said: “Ghosts, ghouls and of course the people of Edinburgh are invited to join us this Halloween as we bring Queen Street to life for a night of mystery and mayhem.

“This is a one-of-a-kind event for the community and is not to be missed, with plenty of spooky entertainment and of course a selection of the finest Scotch single malts.”

Meanwhile, Cask 88 is reopening the world’s smallest whiskey bar in Edinburgh as a fortune teller’s booth for the weekend before Halloween.

The event marks the launch of the second bottle in the Cask 88 Scotch Witchcraft series, “The Book of Demonology”which has an eerie glow-in-the-dark label.

Herbalist and storyteller Amanda Edmiston of Botanica Fabula will be visiting the whiskey bar on October 28-30, offering free samples.

The tarot card reading will relate to the aromas and flavors that each visitor identifies in the whiskey.

Across the pavement from the world’s smallest whiskey bar, Johnnie Walker, Princes Street is firmly on Hogmanay, not Halloween.

Scotch whiskey giant Diageo’s main visitor center has unveiled details of this year’s Hogmanay party at its 1820 rooftop bar overlooking the castle.

Rob Maxwell, Head of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “Hogmanay is a big night for any bar, but if you have the views we were lucky enough to enjoy from the rooftop terrace at 1820 Bar and the package our team have created, you have hands something really special.”

“[This year] it feels extra special to see the Hogmanay celebrations return to Edinburgh after two years.”

Read more news and reviews at Scottish fieldfood and drink pages.

Also, don’t miss the readers’ whiskey contest November edition Scottish field magazine.