EDINBURGH 2023: Review: WHISKY & WITCHES PRESENTS MYTHICAL BEASTS, The Mother Superior - The Mother Superior Cave

If you have a couple of hours to spare and you want to try smoky, deep, fruity, warming, delicious whiskies, while also listening to folk tales, tasting notes that will blow your mind, and live singing that will haunt your heart and soul - look no further and make sure you get a ticket to Whisky & Witches. 

Jane and Christine are the genius creators behind this afternoon of delectable pleasure. Jane owns The Mother Superior pub in Leith. Her own, unbelieveable, collection of whiskies adorn several shelves in the main area of the establishment. As soon as I walked in I uttered a loud whisper, "wow!" when I walked past them. Jane has been working in the whisky industry since 2009 and really knows her apples. And also her grains and casks. 

It's Jane who takes us through tasting notes, inviting us to climb into an orchard fruit pie for one of the whiskies. Another we are sitting by a smoky fire, in a leather chair, eating a Werther's Original. And it works! Her story-process helps you go deep into the flavours and smells. You are there, in the moment she wants you to experience. There are five altogether, all at cask strength. Be prepared to feel tipsy by the end of her talk. 

Meanwhile, as you enjoy your drinks, Christine takes to the stage. Christine is a singer and storyteller. It is she who tells you about mythical beasts of Scottish folklore, African gods and goddesses and Chinese unicorns. Jane tells us the history of Scottish witches is a fascinating and it's sad tale that is still important today. All the stories fit with the theme of the whiskies and are a wonderful, captivating addition. 

But the cherry on top? That's when Christine starts to sing. Her first song was a capella. No accompaniment. No microphone. It filled the venue, resonating round the room and in your bones. Her voice is ethereal and haunting. I'm listening to her stunning singing on Spotify now as I write this review. If a voice could take you away to a mystical place to enjoy "uisge beatha" - the Scots Gaelic term for whisky, literally meaning "water of life" - then her voice is the one to do it. I sat listening, contemplating life and thinking I need to spend more time by rivers and trees all because of Christine.

Not only does she sing but she is also a musicologist of the Viking Age and of Scandinavian and Scottish folk music. She sings songs to us in six languages: English, Gaelic, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic and one she made up. 

Both she and Jane are welcoming, fun and friendly. Their knowledge of whisky, folklore and music is second-to-none. I left feeling like the two of them could rule the world and it would be a better place for it. 

One of the other audience members told Jane at the end she had been dreading Whisky and Witches because she doesn't like whisky, but came because it was her girlfriend's birthday. Now she loves whisky and is a convert. Clearly she had fallen under Jane and Christine's spell. 

This was one of the best two hours of my life and I hope I can go and see them do this again some time. You absolutely must go to this if you can. 

Reader Reviews

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