Whisky lovers around the world may already be familiar with Burns Night - the Scottish tradition which celebrates the life and works of Scotland’s famous poet Robbie Burns.
Hosted every year on the 25th January, it’s a great way to bring friends and family together for some Scottish style cheer.
Tartan, haggis, poetry, and readings all play a major role in traditional celebrations and a decent dram to cheers with is a must.
If you’re planning on marking the occasion this year, here are our pick of the 10 best whiskies which are guaranteed to lift your spirits this year.
12 best whiskies 2022:
1. Old Pulteney 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Best overall whisky
This popular Highlander is perfect for sweet-toothed lovers. Featuring ripe banana and sweet orange zest, alongside a faint whiff of honey, it’s the ideal tipple for an after-dinner treat.
Buy now from Amazon, £34.05
2. Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Scotch Whisky
Best value whisky
There’s a reason why Johnnie Walker Red Label is one of the world’s best-selling whiskies - and it’s not just the low price-tag that attracts people (although for £14, who could say no). Bursting with vibrant and smoky flavours it certainly excites the palate, and is the perfect component for your Robert Burns creation.
Buy now from Amazon, £14
3. Shanky's Whip
Best sweet-flavoured whisky
This retro-looking bottle is enough to get anyone excited - plus with a name like Shanky’s Whip, it certainly stands out from the crowd.
But most importantly, the flavour combines a spicy Irish whiskey liquor which has been infused with vanilla and caramel, creating a super creamy finish.
Buy now from Master of Malt, £23.95
4. The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Best single malt whisky
This approachable dram has been recently relaunched to attract a new generation of whiskey drinkers - meaning it’s perfect for first-timers.
Bursting with nutty and fruit flavours, as well as baked apples and dates, it’s the perfect choice if you’re after something sweet.
Buy now from Amazon, £14
5. High Point Amber
Best non-alcoholic whisky
For those doing dry January this year, you can still enjoy the wonderful taste of whiskey - just without the alcohol. High Point drinks are a premium range of non-alcoholic fermented aperitifs and digestifs.
Each drink is made from raw, natural ingredients which are then fermented and blended to produce a product that is layered in flavours, deep in aromas and complexity.
Buy now from Amazon, £19.99
6. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Best for first-timers
Aromas of sweet vanilla, and flavours of orange, brown sugar and spice are what makes Jack Daniel's one of the most popular choices when it comes to whiskey.
Buy now from Master of Malt, £22.12
7. The Sexton
Best flavoured whiskey
Created by Alex Thomas, one of the few female master blenders in the industry, this Irish single malt whiskey is triple distilled and matured in Oloroso sherry casks sourced form Jerez de la Frontera in Spain. Bottled at 40% abv, The Sexton has a smooth, rich and approachable flavour for a thoroughly modern Irish whiskey.
Expect rich dried fruit, nuts and honeycomb, with hints of chocolate, raisin, and sherried notes.
Buy now from The Whiskey Shop, £36
8. The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky
Best whisky for mixing
One of the world’s most popular bends, and the best-selling Scotch whisky in Scotland, this one’s definitely hard to beat. Famous Grouse is a very nicely balanced, malty blend which was first made in 1896, and would go on to be known as The Famous Grouse, with the name registered in 1905.
It features a balanced, biscuit-laden palate with a core of thick, creamy malt. Just a hint of spice and the vaguest whisper of smoke to bring a great deal of complexity.
Buy now from Master of Malt, £19.90
9. Robert Burns Single Malt
Best whisky for Burns Night
This malt has been endorsed by the World Burns Federation, so what better way to toast your Burns supper than with a whisky produced especially for the occasion?
Arran distillery’s Burns malt - priced at £32.25 - is a zesty and malt-filled with notes of apples and pears, perfect for complementing your haggis and tatties.
Buy now from The Whiskey Exchange, £32.25
10. Glen Scotia Victoriana
Best whisky for special occasions
Although this one may be a little pricier than the rest, Burns Night is the perfect special occasion to whip it out.
The award-winning Glen Scotia Victoriana is finished in deep charred oak, offering a smooth single malt whisky where aroma and flavour work in harmony.
Bottled in the traditional way straight from the cask and without filtration, its subtle wood and vanilla flavour is enhanced by a full-bodied spicy fruit aroma and mildly smoky aftertaste.
Buy now from Master of Malt, £76.99
11. Green Isle
Best smoky whisky
Green Isle is a great, lighter introduction to smoky whiskey. The blended Scotch whiskey features a core of Islay malt, alongside Speyside malt and Lowland grain whiskies to complement that bold Islay spirit. The tasty tipple has a smoky depth as well as light fruity and fragrant character for the perfect blend.
Buy now from Master of Malt, £29.95
12. Regions of Scotland Tasting Set
Best for gifting
Explore the five regions of Scotland with this set of five 3cl drams of whisky. Including whisky from the peaty, smoky Islay; the fruity, malty Highlands; the soft, floral Lowlands; and the honeyed, often Sherried Speyside and more. This set is a real showcase of what Scotland has to offer in the world of whisky.
Buy now from Amazon, £26.95
What is Burns Night?
Burns Night, held in honour of Scotland's most famous poet Robert Burns, is celebrated at the end of January every year. The night is a way to remember the life of the 18th century bard and it falls on his birthday - January 25.
More than two centuries later it is has become a nationwide event with recitals of the poet's works and a haggis dinner to celebrate.
What is the difference between Bourbon and Whisky?
According to Masterclass, whisky, sometimes spelled as whiskey - depending on where it's origin of production - is an "amber-colored distilled spirit made out of fermented grain (most often rye, wheat, corn or barley." At minimum, whiskies (which are usually aged in wooden casks prior to being bottled) have a 40 percent ABV amount and can taste anywhere (or everywhere) between warm, sweet, spicy, toasty, or even caramel-like for that sweet after-dinner treat.
There are a plethora of whisky varieties - with bourbon being one of them - so what's the real difference? Bourbon which is commonly produced in Kentucky must contain at least 51 percent corn in what distillers call the mash bill (which is that mixture of fermented grain that is used to create whisky). As well as this, by law, bourbon must be aged in newly charred white oak barrels so that it can achieve the traditional, delicious nutty and sweet flavour, you bourbon fans all know and adore.
How to make a Robert Burns cocktail
Drinks retailer Bottle Club have revealed one of its best-selling whisky cocktails, perfect for celebrating at-home.
The Robert Burns is one of the classic cocktails that pays tribute to another of Scotland’s finest exports.
The drink is a delightful, sophisticated mix that builds on the scotch-vermouth combination of Rob Roy. The addition of absinthe brings in a nice contrasting flavour, but be sure to keep this to a dash, as it can easily overpower the drink.
If absinthe is a bit too much for your taste, there is a variation called the Bobby Burns which omits absinthe for Bénédictine (£26.89).
Whether this drink was named after him or not, it's a great choice for the celebration.
Ingredients:
- 2 Ounces Scotch Whisky
- ¾ Ounce Sweet Vermouth
Dash Orange Bitters
Dash Absinthe
