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Three Scotch Whiskies to Make Your Burns Night Perfect

Burns Night is the annual celebration of all things Scottish

The life and writings of the legendary Scottish wordsmith Robert Burns (1759-1796) are at the centre of festivities, which also include readings of his poetry such as the famous Address to A Haggis. January 25th was Burns’ birthday, and the first event was said to have been held in 1801, just four and a half years after his death.

Every Burns Night, Scotch whisky will flow. Haggis will be eaten, and bagpipes played. But which whisky will work best with your haggis supper? Whether you are hosting your own Burns Night event or wanting to savour a nice quiet wee dram, here are some suggestions.

The Robert Burns Single Malt

This is an obvious one given the name. This underrated gem comes from the Lochranza distillery on the rugged island of Arran. The Isle of Arran Distillers are the only whisky company to be officially endorsed by the World Burns Federation. When the partnership was formed in 1998, the distillery was the closest to Burns’ Ayrshire home in the village of Alloway. He would have seen the lofty peaks of Arran every day across the Firth of Clyde.

This is a wonderfully light and malty whisky. Delicate biscuity notes are complimented superbly by crisp green apple, lemon zest and fresh vanilla pod. A lovely creaminess sits on the palate that is complimented with a subtle warming spice – think of cinnamon and gingerbread. The Robert Burns single malt is versatile whether taken neat – it cuts through the spiciness and richness of haggis well – or mixed as a long drink or in a cocktail.

Lagavulin 16 years old

If you fancy something peaty and smoky for your Burns Night soirée, then it is difficult to look beyond this classic single malt from Islay. While others may possess more power and brashness (think of Ardbeg and Laphroaig especially), Lagavulin oozes a definitive class and sophistication. The distillery sits on the rocky southern coast of Islay, which is known as ‘Queen of the Hebrides’, and Lagavulin translates as ‘mill by the bay’ from the local Gaelic.

This iconic whisky will match perfectly with even the spiciest haggis. Notes of toffee and butterscotch marry superbly with cracked black pepper and clove. But the main feature is the peat smoke. The famous whisky island is known for this style and Lagavulin is no different. Imagine hot bonfire ash, sooty smoke and toasted oak combined with damp moss, drying seaweed and a hint of iodine. They are all there and create a heady mix. Such a great whisky.

Ballantine’s 17 years old

While many focus on single malts, a good Scotch blended whisky is difficult to beat. A few are better than the exquisite Ballantine’s 17 years old. This whisky regularly wins top medals in spirits competitions around the world and is one of the most highly awarded blends out there. It was first released in 1930 and the closely guarded recipe has remained largely unchanged in the 90+ years since.

Ballantine’s 17 years old offers a vibrant mix of characteristics and contains a high proportion of well-aged soft, gentle Speyside single malts in the blend. There is an abundance of depth and complexity that gives the whisky a multi-layered quality. Expect notes of soft toffee, fudge and stewed apple with plump sultana, raisin, and candied orange. Add in a hint of baking spice and a whisp of smoke, and you have an absolute classic. Perfect neat or on the rocks, but also makes a killer cocktail.

by Matt Chambers
Master of Whisky at Whisky 1901 09/01/2025

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