Top Whisky Selections to Elevate Your Burns Night Celebration

As Burns Night approaches, many will prepare to honor the famed Scottish poet Robert Burns with his favored traditional fare: haggis, neeps, and tatties.

What elevates this celebration beyond delightful company is the inclusion of whisky, a vital part of the occasion.

In this spirit, Richard Woodard has crafted a list of ten remarkable whiskies—both single malts and blends—to complement your festivities.

Robert Burns and Whisky

Robert Burns, who passed away in 1796, remains a cultural icon in Scotland and beyond.

His poetry frequently highlights whisky as a key motif, celebrating its essence as a drink that embodies conviviality and inspiration.

The annual celebration of Burns Night on January 25 has blossomed from intimate gatherings to lively events, showcasing bagpipes, haggis, and, indeed, exceptional whiskies.

Top Choices to Savor This Burns Night

  • Bowmore 15 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask Enjoy the delightful marriage of Bowmore’s subtly peated, fruity character with the rich complexities brought by Sherry casks.

    First-fill oloroso Sherry casks infuse this whisky with luscious flavors of cassis, roasted hazelnuts, and a whisper of gentle smoke and anise.

    ABV: 43%.

  • Caisteal Chamuis Blended Malt This cheeky blend from the Torabhaig distillery captures the spirit of the Isle of Skye with a youthful, heavily peated profile.

    The finish in first-fill Bourbon casks balances the bold notes of camphor, iodine, and peat smoke with a surprising sweetness.

    ABV: 46%.

  • Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask Known for its unique character, Craigellachie ages gracefully in ex-Bas-Armagnac casks, balancing its original spirit with new flavors.

    Revel in hints of juicy pineapple and baked pear, layered with subtle nutmeg and allspice, all leading to a satisfying cereal finish.

    ABV: 46%.

  • Glendronach Ode to the Embers This intriguing peated release from Glendronach boasts a smoky depth while its maturation in both oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks brings indulgent flavors of dark chocolate-covered dates, roasted walnuts, and festive cake.

    ABV: 48.4%.

  • Highland Park 18 Year Old (2024 Release) A true classic from Orkney, this whisky combines age, distilling excellence, and cask influence for a sublime tasting experience.

    Expect a medley of tastes, transitioning from light cherry to mandarin, all enhanced with honeyed caramel and fragrant peat smoke.

    ABV: 43%.

  • Nestled in Edinburgh, Holyrood Distillery pushes the boundaries of whisky-making.

    By experimenting with various cereal and yeast combinations, they’ve crafted Ambir—a rich single malt featuring chocolate, Vienna, crystal 240, and caramalt malts, resulting in sweet notes of vanilla fudge.

    ABV: 49.8%.

  • Isle of Raasay Single Malt This signature whisky from a petite Hebridean distillery impresses with its complexity, despite its youthful nature.

    The subtly peated spirit boasts a medley of cask influences, including red wine and rye whiskey, yielding flavors of dark cherries, fragrant peat, and a sweet honeyed finish.

    ABV: 46.4%.

  • John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend First created to toast Johnnie Walker’s bicentenary, this noteworthy blend is still available online and merits attention on your shelf.

    Emulating the original Old Highland Whisky, it showcases a rich profile, brimming with dried fruits, spices, and a hint of classic Walker smoke.

    ABV: 51%.

  • Port Charlotte SYC:01 2013 Gaining a reputation for its peated offerings, Port Charlotte offers this dynamic expression, partially aged in ex-Syrah casks from the Rhône valley.

    Expect a captivating blend of peat and rich dark fruits mingled with spicy notes of cinnamon and star anise.

    ABV: 54.4%.

  • Tobermory 23 Year Old Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish While Tobermory’s single malts might not always take center stage, this expression exemplifies excellence.

    Originally intended for a shorter aging period, the additional time spent in oloroso Sherry casks brings forth flavors of butterscotch, hazelnuts, honeyed toast, and deep molasses.

    ABV: 46.3%.

These selections promise to enhance your Burns Night celebration, offering a spectrum of flavors to suit all tastes.

Cheers, and make sure to enjoy responsibly!

Source: Decanter