Famous Grouse launches tipple to toast Burns anniversary
To mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns and Homecoming Scotland 2009, The Famous Grouse has launched a limited edition blended malt.
Renowned Scottish artist and playwright John Byrne was commissioned by The Famous Grouse, to create an original drawing of Robert Burns to adorn the limited edition whisky.
The bottles, which are valued upwards of £400, will be auctioned off at Burns Suppers all over the world and hope to raise aroun £10,000 for chosen charities.
Primarily a visual artist whose artwork has adorned albums by The Beatles, Gerry Rafferty and Bill Connolly, John Byrne is also the author of the BAFTA award winning Tutti Frutti and The Slab Boys.
Commenting on this commission, John Byrne said: “It is an honour as a Scottish writer and artist, to create a picture to adorn the bottle commemorating Scotland’s National Poet. It is fantastic to see that 250 years on Robert Burns’ legacy is still being celebrated both at home and abroad.”
The bottles have been created as part of The World Famous Burns Supper Celebration, which The Famous Grouse is organising in partnership with Homecoming Scotland 2009.
A website www.burnssupper2009.com has been created to capture everyone’s plans for celebrating this landmark Burns Night and establish a new World Record for the greatest number of Burns suppers ever held.
So far, over 1500 Burns suppers have registered with celebrations taking place from Croatia to Canada, to Indonesia to Iraq, Argentina to Azerbaijan and Scotland to Sri Lanka.
Anyone interested in applying for a limited edition bottle to auction at their burns supper, can email: charityauction@burnssupper2009.com.