If you didn’t realize it, a big holiday for Scotch whisky drinkers and fans of epic poetry is coming up on January 25th. Celebrated each year on this date, it’s a night to honor Scotland’s national poet (hence the Scotch whisky imbibing), a man named Robert Burns. It’s also a great time to crack open your favorite bottle of single malt Scotch.
What is Burns Night?
Robert Burns lived from 1759 to 1796, and January 25th is his birthday. He was known for his epic poems and songs, many of which were centered on Scottish culture and social issues. He’s most well-known for “Tam o’ Shanter” and “Auld Lang Syne”. On Burns Night, revelers will recite his popular “Address to Haggis” and then (you guessed it), they’ll eat haggis and other surprisingly good Scottish fare.
As a spirits writer, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Scotland on many occasions and have even taken part in a Burns Night celebration. Not only is the reciting of “Address to Haggis” entertaining, but the specialty itself is much tastier than its description would make it appear (look it up yourself if you don’t believe me). Add the neeps (turnips), tatties (potatoes), and a dram of well-made, long-aged single malt Scotch whisky. Finish it all off with a sticky toffee pudding, and you’ve got the makings of a great night.
Single malts for Burns Night
Whether you’re attending a traditional Burns Night celebration or you simply want to read some of his poetry while you sip on some whisky at home, it’s important to stock your home bar with the right bottles.
If you didn’t know it, not all Scotch whisky tastes the same. Some whiskies are known for their peat-smoked palate and ocean brine, others are delicate and soft, and some are matured or finished in sherry casks. There’s something for everyone when it comes to Scotch whisky. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite classic drams. Each is perfectly suited to be sipped alongside your Burns Night celebration.
Laphroaig 10
Laphroaig 10 isn’t for beginners, but Islay single malt fans love this 10-year-old Scotch, matured in ex-bourbon barrels. The nose shows ocean brine, sea salt, iodine, citrus peels, and peat smoke. The palate has toffee, vanilla beans, iodine, baking spices, honey, oak, and campfire smoke. The finish is long, warm, and ends with salted caramel, baking spices, and rich peat smoke. Sip it neat or with a splash of water on a cool night.
$55.99
The Macallan Double Cask 12
The Macallan Double Cask 12 is not only a great dram for Burns Night, but a great gateway into the world of sherried single malts. Matured for 12 years in a combination of sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks, it opens with aromas of toasted vanilla beans, candied orange peels, dried fruits, toffee, and oak. The palate is a symphony of flavors, including cinnamon, honey, sweet sherry, caramelized sugar, orange zest, and oak. The finish is long, lingering, and warm, ending with a gentle mix of baking spices and fruity sweetness. Sip this one neat in a Glencairn glass surrounded by friends.
$66.99
Aberlour A’Bunadh
If you’re a fan of multi-layered, cask strength single malts, you’ll love Aberlour A’Bunadh. Matured completely in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts sourced from Jerez, Spain, it’s a cask strength, non-chill filtered expression that will become a permanent staple on your home bar for years to come. Before your first sip, you’ll be greeted with a nose of dried cherries, honey, candied nuts, winter spices, and oak. The palate offers hints of dried fruits, cocoa, candied ginger, oak, and butterscotch. It all ends with a long, warming finish of winter spices, pipe tobacco, oak, and vanilla beans. This single malt is best enjoyed neat with a few splashes of water to open up the aromas and flavors.
$87.99
Dalwhinnie 15
If you purchase only one single malt Scotch whisky, choose Dalwhinnie 15. Aged in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, it opens with a nose of toasted vanilla beans, honey, heather, orchard fruits, and a wisp of smoke. The palate offers candied nuts, honeyed sweetness, baking spices, orange peels, vanilla, and sticky toffee. The finish is long, warm, and ends with honey, caramel, and gentle smoke. Enjoy neat by a fireplace.
$84.99
Bottom line
If you’ve never celebrated Burns Night, you don’t need to go all out. Read his work (notably “Address to Haggis”), enjoy traditional Scottish food (including haggis), and a dram or two. It’s a great reason to enjoy good Scotch whisky on a cold night. Honestly, do you really need a reason to imbibe a few drams of single malt Scotch whisky? Whether it’s a smoky expression from Islay or a sherried offering, there no wrong time for a well-made Scotch whisky.
