National Tartan Day doesn’t actually roll around until April 6, but the advent of recess has prompted those bursting with Scottish pride to share tastes of their cultural heritage during a Capitol Hill reception tonight. 

The seventh annual National Tartan Day shindig will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Capitol Visitor Center atrium. The event is open to the public, but an RSVP is required (contact kathygarrity@yahoo.com) and a $25 donation is suggested.

Kathy Garrity, treasurer of the National Capital Tartan Day Committee, said Friends of Scotland Caucus Co-Chairmen Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) and John Duncan (R-Tenn.) have pledged to attend, and she’s holding out hope that some of the other 40 caucus members will be able to break away from the legislative hustle long enough to swing by and celebrate their roots.

Partygoers will be privy to assorted comestibles provided by Restaurant Associates. But the big draw will likely be wee drams of the Virginia Distillery Co.’s Eades line of signature double malt whiskies.

VDC Marketing Director Pat Jones said the company will be sharing nips of its regionally inspired first-edition batches: the “lovely, balanced” Highland, “smoky, peaty” Islay and “smooth, mellow” Speyside. The distillery broke ground in 2011 and hopes to begin on-site mass production in early 2013.