Alexandria’s Annual ‘Taste of Scotland’ Whisky Tasting Draws a Sell Out Crowd, Raising Spirits

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The online countdown clock that whirls off the days, hours, minutes, and seconds—is down to single digits with the annual Taste of Scotland whisky fundraiser held this evening, Friday, Dec., 6, at The Atrium (277 S. Washington St.) to support the Campagna Center. The precursor event launches the annual Scottish Weekend in Alexandria and this year’s 53rd Annual Scottish Christmas Parade on Saturday.

The Taste of Scotland premier event featured a VIP Patron Hour at 6:30 p.m. with “top-shelf, high quality Scotch and delectable paired cuisine” and the General Admission Reception beginning at 8 p.m. for about 350 whisky enthusiasts, philanthropists, and friends of the Campagna Center. Both sections were posted online as “Sold Out” early in the week. Due to a “Raffle: A Whisky Lovers & Explorers!” that is held on-sight at the TOS, the amounts raised for the Campagna fundraiser were not yet available. Tickets were $25 for “an evening that would cost several hundred dollars.” The raffle prize of the exclusive whisky-tasting experience would take place at MacMillan Spirit House in Alexandria or the MacMilllan Whisky Room in Fairfax. Two prize winners were to be drawn at the TOS event.

“The proceeds from the event make it possible to deliver the educational programs and support for cradle to career, literally 0 to 18 years, and also adults, with New Neighbors for English Language Learners, said Tammy Mann, president and CEO of the Campagna Center, as she prepared to welcome Taste of Scotland guests at The Atrium.

Among the experts and whisky enthusiasts, exchanges on the merits of more than several dozens of high-quality Scotches being offered centered on the spirit’s “flavours” including briny, grassy, honey, fruity, salty, oak, “sea smoke” and “sherry oak” to judgements of its satisfaction in terms of smooth or mellow to robust or peaty. Of course, everyone has a favorite blending and aging of the basic spirit made from malted barley, water, and yeast.

Hosted by “Presenting Sponsor” Passport Auto, the Taste of Scotland was loaded with numerous sponsors of various monetary levels. Instead of traditional names for the escalating groups such as silver, gold and platinum, the Taste has holiday nicknames such as merry names of each called  Deck the Hall, Peace on Earth Sponsors, Tis the Season Sponsors, Jingle Bell Hosts, Yuletide Hosts, supporters and the W.C. & A.N. Miller Development Company.

For more than 50 years, Campagna Center, supporting high-quality educational and social development programs serving children and families throughout Alexandria, has celebrated Alexandria’s Scottish heritage during the holiday season.

Alexandria  was founded by Scottish merchants in 1749, and was named after Scotsman John Alexander who owned the land that became Alexandria. Today, the city continues celebrating its heritage with the iconic Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, always on the first Saturday in December. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups and more. For the third year, Visit Alexandria, in partnership with Campagna and the City of Alexandria, will produce the parade.

Alexandria’s 53rd Scottish Parade, set for its 53rd presentation on Saturday, runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and draws thousands to the historic district for a festival of the plaids.

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