This print features in the 2024 Squirrel calendar available here.
 
Slàinte Mhath
 
In a quaint little forest nestled between towering pines and a babbling brook, three mischievous red squirrels named Rusty, Ginger, and Cinnamon embarked on a daring adventure. Their bushy tails twitched with excitement as they gazed upon the gleaming copper still they had crafted with their tiny paws.For weeks, the trio had tirelessly gathered the finest nuts, berries, and grains from the forest. They toiled day and night, carefully fermenting and distilling their concoction, guided only by whispers of wisdom passed down from elder squirrels.Finally, the moment of truth arrived. Two small bottles sat before them, filled with the golden elixir they had created. Rusty, with a twinkle in his eye, poured a wee dram into three glasses, then carefully raised his to his lips. Ginger and Cinnamon watched with bated breath.The first sip was a revelation. Flavours burst forth like a symphony of nature – hints of oak from the surrounding trees, a whisper of sweetness from the wild berries, and a warmth that spread from their bellies to their tails. They exchanged wide-eyed glances, their tiny hearts dancing with joy.Ginger, unable to contain her excitement, sipped from her glass. Her eyes widened, and she let out a delighted squeak. "It's magnificent!" she exclaimed.Cinnamon, always the cautious one, took a small, contemplative sip. A smile slowly spread across his face as the complex flavours enveloped his senses. "This is truly a masterpiece," he murmured.And so, beneath the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, the three red squirrels revelled in their triumph. With every sip, they celebrated not only their ingenuity but also the unity that had brought them together. As they shared stories and laughter, the forest around them seemed to hum with a newfound harmony, a testament to the bond forged over their first sip of the whisky they had distilled with love, determination, and a touch of wild squirrel magic.