After releasing their first album Venus in Tweeds in 1994, the band toured, and then began work on A Whisky Kiss in late 1995.

[citation needed] Shooglenifty formed in Edinburgh in 1990, and after spending some years touring and developing their Celtic fusion sound, they recorded and released their first album Venus in Tweeds in 1994.

A Whisky Kiss is entirely instrumental album[3] that combines Scottish folk underpinnings with techno and worldbeat music, and the end result was an album described as "akin to a modern musical jaunt around the world"[4] that "further cemented the band’s reputation as wild crossover artists transcending categories and genres.

"[1] Most tracks are led by fiddle, mandolin or the banjax, an instrument which has been created by its player Garry,[1] and behind, or sometimes in front of those components are driving bass and drums, with a touch of acoustic guitar thrown in for good measure.

The tunes are mostly self-penned using a variety of rhythms and odd vocal effects creating something which is unique, a word too often used, but in this case meant.

begins with a "strolling" surf guitar tease and abruptly breaks into a "lively" fiddle tune courtesy of Angus Grant with subtle Eastern undertones creeping in and out.

[8] It was originally intended to be released in time for the short English tour they had undertaken earlier in the year, but the album was delayed for unspecified reasons.

[1] Despite positive reviews, the record was not a commercial success due to a lack of radio or television play, and as such, the band retained their cult following; Whitham said that the album was released "to an unsuspecting public, who wasted no time warming to their particular brand of 'acid ceilidh'.

"[1] Dave Sleger of Allmusic rated the album three stars out of five and said "A Whiskey Kiss will probably appeal less to folk purists than to those who welcome a little spice and variety injected into their rock & roll.

[3] Ambience said that "with their wild ceilidh type music played on fiddle, banjo, guitar, drums and percussion, Shooglenifty have become a force to be reckoned with and their brilliance shows no sign of abating.