Scotland, or Caledonia as it was called by the Romans during their occupation of England (Britannia), is well known for its whisky. Scottish whisky, or Scotch, is uniquely, well…Scottish. Like tequila from Mexico or champagne from the Champagne region of France, scotch can only be called so if it is produced in Scotland. Scottish Whisky, written in 1828, is an ode, proclaiming the positive effects associated with its consumption and its international superiority. This story was published shortly after legislation was imposed to professionalize Scottish distilling practices in the early nineteenth century. The Illicit Distillation Act of 1822 and the Excise Act of 1823 significantly curbed the sale of illicit spirits by lowering duty costs and increasing fines on bootleggers and smugglers. Many notable distilleries emerged as a result, such as Glenlivet in 1824. This story is written for those who like to rant, roar, sing, dance, laugh, and sing. It extolls the virtues of whisky, an uplifting elixir that alleviates the worries of life. 

 “Caledonia’s nectar pure,” as Scottish whisky is referred to this story, conveys notions of excellence and superiority. Scottish whisky is praised as an internationally superior drink; better than Portuguese wine, Jamaican rum, or Dutch gin. This section of the chapbook is significant in that it conveys a sense of national identity associated with Scottish whisky, or scotch. This nationalistic sentiment complicates the relationship between alcohol and the consumer. A choice to consume Scottish whisky over other spirits can mean more than simply drinking alcohol. It can represent a connection between scotch and national identity. This national connection may have also served to portray temperance and teetotal arguments as anti-Scottish. This relationship between Scotland and whisky, both real and stereotyped, has endured into the modern era.