Whisky, Varenyky and the Spirit of Giving Back

There are moments in life that remind you how beautifully absurd the world can be. A Ukrainian, living in Scotland, sitting down for a whisky tasting paired with hearty Ukrainian dishes. It’s like borscht met Scotch, shook hands, and decided, “why not make it official?”.

Kalyna and Thistle

Set in a cosy and stylish Cask and Vine on Caningate street, the event was organised by Kalyna and Thistle, a non-profit that supports Ukrainian communities in need to survive the war. 

The charity, founded by Olga Melnyk and supported by her parents, Nataliia and Oleksii (who had to leave their hometown Sumy to escape the invasion) welcomes all forms of support: from money to warm blankets.

Nataliia kindly prepared the delicious meals that transformed me back to my grandma’s kitchen with a single whiff. 

The venue, with its warm ambience and fantastic selection of drinks, provided the perfect backdrop for an evening that was more than a whisky tasting - it fostered a sense of unity and support for Ukraine.

Varenyky meet Loch Lomond

As a Ukrainian, I can be a little critical when it comes to my homeland’s delicacies but I was beyond impressed with the delicious feast that was in front of me.

Deruny (potato pancakes), olivye (a potato and vegetable salad), rich pate, delicious ham, and the star of the show - varenyky - dumplings filled with mashed potatoes. They were pure nostalgia wrapped in a dough, each bite comforting and satisfying.

The food had a delighted twist of being paired with five different expressions from Loch Lomond distillery. With a history dating back to 1965 , the distillery uses 4 sets of stills that allows Loch Lomond to offer an impressive flavour profile that covers everything from light and fruity grain whiskies to bold, peaty impressions.

But the main question remains: did the pairing work? Yes, it certainly did. The delicious pate sang a lovely tune with the peaty Loch Lomond Inchmoan, the delicate dumplings found their soulmate in The Single Grain, and the beautifully balanced 12 year-old managed to compliment every single dish.

Unexpected match

Of course, no whisky-tasting experience is complete without discovering a favourite, and for me, that was Loch Lomond’s Steam and Fire.

Matured in three types of American Oak casks and finished in a heavily charred one, the whisky boasts rich notes of brown sugar, dark chocolate and delicate fruity notes.

Yet, I have to admit, the revelation of the evening goes to not just the whisky but to the surprisingly delicious pairing. After putting a teaspoon of sour cream in my mouth and then washing it down with Steam and Fire - the unexpected magic happened.

The rich and flavourful whisky combined with the smooth, tangy sour cream tasted like a culinary alchemy. By far, one of my favourite food-and-drink combinations. Period.

The evening to remember

By the end of the night, I was full. Full of ridiculously good food. Full of fantastic whisky. And full of that rare, glowing kind of gratitude.

Cask and Vine provided the elegant movie-like atmosphere. The charity brought the heart. Big, beating, beautiful heart. And the menu? Imagine Scotch whisky slow dancing with Ukrainian comfort food under fairy lights—unexpected, a little wild, and absolutely meant to be.

It was one of those evenings that leaves you thinking: More of this, please. More culture, more kindness, more perfectly peated magic shared with genuinely good humans.

Here’s to many more evenings where culture, great cause, tasty drams and good company come together in the most unexpected and delicious ways.