Student serves up World Whisky Day

A student has founded what is said to be the first World Whisky Day to celebrate the spirit. More than 7,000 people around the globe have signed up to register events as part of the celebration on March 27. University of Aberdeen student Blair Bowman, 21, decided to found the special day after discovering there was no dedicated international celebration in honour of the drink. Through his website worldwhiskyday.com, people from as far afield as India, the United States, South Africa and even Kyrgyzstan have signed up to take part. The student, who is in the third year of an MA in Hispanic Studies, said: “I’ve already had messages from people saying they’re planning to open 40-year-old bottles to mark the occasion and a whisky bar in Kuala Lumpur is holding its grand opening on the day.

“World Whisky Day is about sharing and appreciating the drink with friends – not binge drinking – and will be a great way for those new to the spirit to get involved. I’m hoping the day can grow year-on-year and I’m already looking to 2014 as it is such a significant year for Scotland, with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and more Homecoming celebrations planned.”

The student, who works part-time as a barman at St Machar Bar in Aberdeen, has also created his own blend through the Master of Malt website to mark the occasion. Mr Bowman’s interest in whisky came from his parents and grew when he joined the university’s malt whisky society. He was the third member to join the newly-formed society which now has 250 members, around 50% of whom are women. The student came up with the idea for World Whisky Day when he travelled to Spain for the year abroad which was part of his degree.