As a day to commemorate not only Scotland’s favourite Baird, Robert Burns, but also the cultural delights that set the nation apart – Scotch Whisky has become synonymous with Burns Night.
As the day approaches, we’ve handpicked some of our favourites drops for Burns Night whisky to accompany the festivities.
Burns Night Whisky: Begin the Celebrations with A Breath of Fresh Air
Ahead of what’s always an indulgent celebration of rich food, culture and music, there’s no better way to welcome in the evening than with our award-winning aged grain blend, A Breath of Fresh Air.
Aged for 37 years in American white oak casks, A Breath of Fresh Air is an exceptionally clean and enlivening whisky.
On the nose, herbaceous notes of spearmint, crushed mint, dock leaf are supported by floral pineapple before a rich palate opens to offer citrus fruits, further herbal notes and a mouth-watering dryness.
“A truly magical example of the unexpected transformations that can take place inside a cask,” Simon Thomson, City AM.
With its lighter presence and almost refreshing quality, A Breath of Fresh Air provides a window into the beguiling character an old grain whisky can take on when lain in cask over an extended period of time.
An intriguing blend that will surprise and entice even the most experienced of whisky enthusiasts, and the perfect partner as an aperitif to whet the palate.
Accompanying Your Meal: The Tops
Cullen Skink, Scotch Broth, Haggis, and Cranachan – the theatre of the meal is often the highlight of any Burns Night celebration.
Such rich flavours require a whisky that can cut through the cacophony of tastes, complement the various textures, and reflect the character of what’s on offer.
Here, The Tops, our Speyside Blended Malt Scotch is the perfect choice.
In every master blender’s inventory are malt whiskies that are known as “tops”, the best of the spirits they have distilled, which are saved for the most special of blends. What better accompaniment to the annual supper than a blend of the best “tops”?
Matured for 33 years in Spanish ex-sherry casks, the whisky has taken on enormous amounts of character and sherry influence – resulting in a Scotch that is both beautifully structured and richly comforting.
“A richly complex aroma, with maraschino cherries, crystalised rose petals and coffee beans. A mouth-filling texture and sweet taste, drying in a long warming finish,” Charlie McLean MBE.
Notes of treacle, toffee, and caramel are first apparent on the nose, balanced by sweet cherry and coffee. While on the palate, there is a sweetness to start with before a lively oak character emerges.
Its long, well-structured finish allows us to savour the sherry influence and leaves the sipper in a world of rich indulgence.
Ending the Evening: The Spirit of Scotland
To conclude the evening’s festivities, why not raise a glass to The Spirit of Scotland?
This fine double-matured Blended Scotch Whisky, released to commemorate the 500-year anniversary of the first recorded mention of Scotch in the 1494 Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, is the perfect representation of Scottish pride – and a piece of distilling history in itself.
“The greatest blends are masterclasses of harmony and complexity: this 46-year-old offers multiple layers of ripe orchard fruits, then zesty mandarin slathered in vanilla cream – as well as an undercurrent of malty cereal notes and an expanding hint of aromatic smoke. Not remotely showy, but complex and endlessly fascinating,” Richard Woodard, Decanter Magazine.
Warm notes of syrup and treacle greet us on the nose, with hints of antique manuscript paper reminding us of the whisky’s age and evoking swells of nostalgia. The palate offers a hint of familiar Scotch smokiness, bright notes of lemon pie and a long, exquisitely smooth finish.
Steeped in history. Proudly Scottish. And perfectly fitting of this very special occasion.
To purchase your Burns Night whisky, please visit our shop here or get in touch with our Whisky Concierge Service for personalised recommendations and advice.
