Scots will be raising a glass to the country’s most famous, and arguably finest, poet this month. Burns Night falls on a Saturday this year and what’s more, is marking the 265th anniversary of the birth date of Robert Burns.
And it won’t just be Scottish revellers raising the roof. The Bard is celebrated across the globe thanks to the hundreds of poems and folk songs, including Auld Lang Syne which is belted out every Hogmanay, he penned.
To toast a life much storied, people will be rolling out the tartan carpet and hosting or attending a Burns Supper. It is the perfect excuse to indulge in a wee dram. But what is the best one to boost your Burns Night bonanza?
1. Ballantine’s Finest True Music Icons Elton John Edition, £24.95, 70cl, The Whisky Exchange
Ballantine’s latest foray with music legends celebrates another man of the moment – one of the world’s top-selling solo artists, Elton John was named Time magazine’s 2024 Icon of the Year. Featuring Ballantine’s Finest, this limited edition label should set the poetry in motion. A crowd pleaser and great all-rounder, this smooth blend with honeyed aromas, hints of heather and sweet spice punctuated by apple, vanilla and honeycomb is right on song.
2. M&S Kenmore Single Malt Island Scotch Whisky, £28, 70cl, Ocado
This is where to set your sights for a bold, smoky expression to complement the spicy notes of haggis. Rich and moderately peaty with an enticing smoky character, this new release is sure to be a big hit.
3. Old Pultney 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky, £38, 70cl, Old Pultney
A malt from one of the country’s most northerly points, whisky noses will find this spirited single malt smacks of a woody, bourbon sweetness (it’s matured in ex-bourbon casks) with salty, seafaring notes, twist of white pepper and toffee lingering on the briny finish. One for smoked fish chowder (Cullen Skink), another classic Burns Night dish.
4. The Glendronach 12 Year Old Whisky, £49.75, 70cl, Master of Malt
With its beguiling sherried nose, this Highland single malt shows how ageing in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks creates a dense, fruity profile with a fruit-cake character to delight sherry devotees. With hints of ginger, marmalade, raisins, spiced dried fruits and toffee, it’s deliciously complex with classic sherry oak depth.
Enjoy neat over ice with a bowl of creamy cranachan (Scottish dessert) to round off the meal.
5. Isle of Raasay Signature Single Malt, £55, 70cl, Isle of Raasay Hebridean Distillers
A blend of peated and unpeated spirits matured in American rye whisky, virgin Chinkapin oak and Bordeaux red wine casks, the result is a lightly peated island malt to tease the tastebuds. Complex and aromatic, rich notes of dark fruits are laced with toffee nuances, touch of peat smoke, exotic spice and lasting finish.
6. The Dalmore 15 Year Old, £120, 70cl, The Dalmore
With the focus on age and craftsmanship, this sought-after expression spends 12 years in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, and further three years in sherry casks for its rich, fruity palate, depth of flavour.
There is baking spice, cinnamon and ginger with zesty notes of mandarin and creamy vanilla complemented by darker flavours of caramelised orange and chocolate.
Slàinte Mhath!
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