Thursday, January 25th, is the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns—one of the most important dates on the Scottish cultural calendar. It’s celebrated worldwide with Burns Night suppers, a tradition that began in 1801, and naturally there is always fine Scotch whisky involved. 

To observe the occasion in advance and help customers with their own Burns Night celebrations, Pinnacle Wine & Liquor is offering a Burns *Day* tasting of five excellent Scotch whiskies this Saturday, January 20th, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the store. (For a list of the whiskies we’ll sample, more information about the event, and a little about Robert Burns himself, see my January 7 post, “Scotch Whisky lovers: Make a Burns Night plan.”) 

Our Cocktail of the Week picks today and next Thursday feature several of the Scotch whiskies we’ll be sampling on Saturday, and we begin with the “Bitter Jean” cocktail—based on a Highland or Speyside single malt, with just a touch of smoke from a good Islay whisky. You’ll find it beautifully balanced and delicious—as sweet as it is bitter. Don’t be fooled by the eight dashes of Angostura bitters (nope, that’s not a typo!). 

See me at Pinnacle on Saturday afternoon to sample these whiskies and have a taste of Bitter Jean or a Bobby Burns cocktail, with snacks to pair and a brief whisky journey across Scotland. 

BITTER JEAN
2 oz Glenfarclas 10 Year Highland Scotch Whisky
⅓ oz Laphroaig 10 Year Original Cask Strength Scotch Whisky
½ oz Crème de Cassis liqueur 
¾ oz Carpano Antica Formula or other full-bodied sweet vermouth
8 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters

Before mixing, chill a cocktail coupe and prepare two Luxardo Maraschino cherries on a cocktail pick (for garnish). Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass, add plenty of ice and stir 15-20 seconds until well chilled. Strain the drink into the chilled coupe and add the cherry garnish.

About our Cocktail of the Week partners—shop local and independent!
Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor are less than a mile from each other, on Monroe Avenue near Twelve Corners in Brighton.

Cooks’ World, in business since 1978, is Rochester’s premier retailer of dining, kitchen, and cooking products, including a complete selection of glassware, mixology tools, and accessories for wine and spirits lovers. Follow Cooks’ World on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up here to receive Cooks’ World’s daily email specials and other news. 

Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, in business since 1997, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of spirits and wine from around the world, with a savvy staff to assist in your selection and encourage you along your cocktail and wine journey. Follow Pinnacle on Facebook and Instagram. For the inside track on Pinnacle’s spirits sales, send two text messages to (585)765-7546:
— Text the word “bourbon,” to receive weekly text messages offering the chance to buy rare or allocated whiskies or special prices on popular products.
—Text the word “spirits,” to receive roughly monthly offers on fine spirits other than whiskies.