With Burns Night falling on a Saturday and this year marking the 265th anniversary of the birth date of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns ‘The Bard,’ it won’t just be Scottish revellers raising the roof.
Celebrated the world over and a life much storied, Burns wrote hundreds of poems and folk songs – a great reason to roll out the tartan carpet, raise a wee dram and single out some favourite songs to launch a Scottish-themed supper.
Here’s how to fire up 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
Scotland’s island whiskies stretch far and wide, and 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 with its peaty, peppery palate, touches of banana and vanilla with a warming, robust finish.
3. Old Pultney 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky, £38, 70cl, Old Pultney
A maritime malt which hails 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
Another trophy choice in tune with Burns Night celebrations, this decanter style bottle is bound to inspire a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne. 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 and downright deliciousness. With Dalmore’s signature orangey marmalade nose and a spicy, sherried influence, there’s baking spice, cinnamon and ginger; with zesty notes of mandarin and creamy vanilla complemented by darker flavours of caramelised orange and chocolate. Full bodied and beautifully balanced, the iconic stag head’s emblem can be found in the world’s best whisky bars… Slàinte Mhath!
