Whisky and… the Love of Tattoos
From our series that highlights great whisky pairings comes a piece from our favourite scotchtrotter – Terri Lam, who decided to investigate the intense love whisky enthusiasts and industry people have for getting their favourite tattoos. BY TERRI LAM
This doesn’t involve drunken nights of poor decisions filled with regret nor is an episode of Ink Master or Bad Ink. This focuses on the motivation behind the tattoos among those whose love for whisky outweighs the discomfort of going under a needle. The journeys are personal and inspiring. They are the stories that bind, keep us connected, and build our community. Brands that recognize their loyal fans are embracing creativity, innovation, and continue to encourage the freedom of expression. But what is it about whisky and tattoos that brings people together? Have you ever found yourself captivated by a stranger’s tattoo, curious about its significance? For those unfamiliar with the process, let me explain: Using a handheld device known as a tattoo gun, its needle penetrates the top two dermal layers of skin (2mm) at 50 cycle/ second. Think of this as a glorified road rash - a time stamp that includes bits and bobs of shrapnel embedded into your skin. Appreciating the craft - The lifelong learning journey and dedication to mastering any skill is put into daily practice. In doing so, each preserve heritage and craftsmanship over time. Tattoos artists, dedicated to mastering the craft, adopt new innovations and techniques for applying ink which
requires years of experience. Whisky production is a delicate balance of problem solving, chemistry and art where constant refining and adaptation is also learned through experience. Tattoo artists may apprentice under a master artist or travel the world to immerse themselves in different cultures and discover lost traditional techniques used on our ancestors centuries ago. Master distillers blenders or coopers all invest years refining their craft for a deeper understanding of the spirit, aiming to create exceptional flavours and results. Today, some of the most popular reasons people get tattoos is to express themselves, commemorate meaningful events, or symbolise something deeply personal. Whisky, on a sensory level, can also be intricately linked to specific moments by transporting us back in time and evoking our most cherished memories.
The Bond - Otis Graham, Assistant Blender and Rack House Manager of Westward Distillery in Oregon, shares the significance of the Graham clan family crest tattoo honouring his heritage and preserving the memory of his grandfather. “Ne Oublie” means
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the whisky explorer magazine
WINTER 2024
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