nNothing exorcises the miserable January spirit—dry or otherwise—like a… Burns Night to celebrate. A whiskey-soaked dinner for Robert Burns’ birthday is the perfect cure for a harsh mid-winter day. It’s a bandwagon I happily jump on every year, despite having absolutely no connection to Scotland. And so should you.
Along with a good paperback book of the Bard’s greatest hits, you’ll also want to make sure you have a bottle or two of their best scotch at the ready to guide you to the haggis. Whether you enjoy the in-your-face smoke of Islay whisky, prefer a refined Highland single malt, or are ready to try something a little more surprising, I’ve selected a selection of delicious drams to raise a proper toast to Rabbit Burns.
I’ve tasted each of the whiskeys on this list neatly, with the aim of drinking them alongside traditional Scottish cuisine, and tried to include different styles, ages, price points and producers. But in the spirit of Burns, his Scotch drink For everyone, so if you like a highball, stirred into a Manhattan with booze, or opened with a splash of water, go ahead. Bag tubes are optional, caps and scarf are not!
The best whiskey of 2025
The best old single malt
Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Infinita, 70cl
£124 at Master Of Malt
£119.99 at Amazon
It’s easy to spend ridiculous money on old single malts, but this (almost) reasonably priced 18-year-old is a safe bet for Scotch fans. Honeyed spice flavors transition into orange smoke, jasmine and burnt wood for an absolutely delicious flavor for any whiskey connoisseur. This would have been great at the conclusion of a special dinner as a celebratory digestif.
The best sustainable whisky
Nc’nean organic single malt, 70cl
£51.95 at Master of Malt
£51.95 at The Whiskey Exchange
Made from organic barley found on the wild west coast of Scotland, Nc’nean is a single malt Scotch – but not as you know it. Founded by women, certified B Corp, and the first whiskey distillery in the UK to achieve net zero emissions, it tastes good and performs well. It’s also a Great Taste Award winner. It’s fresh and lively with lemon and opens to candied citrus sweets with a touch of the tropics. I found it great in a high ball with a sprig of fresh mint.
The best old blended whisky
Glen Alachi White Heather is 15 years old70 cl
£47.22 at Single Malt
£58.95 at Master of Malt
White heather is a rare type of ubiquitous purple flower with rich symbolism in Scottish folklore. Stumbling across a patch is said to bring luck, and brides often include a sprig in their bouquet. I’m telling you, you’re lucky to experience this wonderful blend from GlenAllachie’s master distiller. Single malts from across Scotland are combined to create a heather-honey balance of orange, mocha and a faint hint of smoke – I found it seriously drinkable.
The best peated whisky
Tobermory Ledge 10-Single malt Scotch for one year70 cl
£39.95 at The Whiskey Exchange
£39.95 at Amazon
Hailing from the inner Hebridean island of Mull, this whiskey is a more approachable grained whiskey than the famous neighboring Islay varieties. More freshness and minerality makes for a milder sip, yet it still retains that unmistakable smoky island character. The soft peat combines with a medicinal nose that is more pleasantly peppery and vanilla on the palate, although the smoky background persists. At this price, you can try it even if you think island whiskeys aren’t for you; You might just surprise yourself.
Best small batch whisky
Holyrood Distillery & Single Malt70 cl
£59.95 at The Whiskey Exchange
£64 at Holyrood Distillery
Fresh from winning the gold medal in the small batch category at the Worlds whiskey Awards, Ambir is the third iteration of single malt from newcomer Holyrood Distillery. Using four premium malts selected for their textures and dessert-style flavours, Amber is perfect to enjoy as an after-dinner drink. The tempting tastes of Scotch bonnet, buttery fudge, and jammy cornflake tart abound, with a subtle leather aftertaste that brings it back from the brink of oversimplification. Enjoy it with – or – pudding.
Best experimental whisky
Noble Rebel Nut Harmony, 70cl
£32.33 at Master of Malt
£39.95 at The Whiskey Exchange
Enjoy this bold, experimental blended whiskey from Loch Lomond Distillers, where toasted hazelnuts, almonds and oak are expertly layered with delicious vanilla and honeycomb flavors and more than a touch of crumbled pear. Using premium single malts from across the country, this is a delicious grain blend if you like sweet, sticky, smoke-free whisky.
The best Speyside whisky
Benromac contrasts with organic Speyside single malt70 cl
£51.25 on the Whiskey Exchange
£60 at Benrocmach
This is the whiskey that first made me fall in love with whisky. Impossibly smooth, with unexpected but harmonious flavors of split banana, a hint of pepper and tons of malt, Benromac Contracts Organic is typically Speyside in its sweetness and lightness, but with the cocoa richness, age-old maturity and interest that its price suggests. . It is also the world’s first Soil Association Certified Organic Scotch. Drinks like a dream in a hip flask on a cool country picnic.
Best selection of Islay whiskies
Smokehead Whiskey Skull Gift Tin, 3 x 5cl
£22.99 at Smokehead
£21.40 at Amazon
Islay Scotch fans will enjoy making their way through a Smokehead flight selected in honor of the occasion. There are three single malts laden with seaweed, fiery peat and sweetness to explore: Original; High voltage 58%; and Rum Rebel, which is matured in Caribbean rum barrels for a tropical explosion along with sea spray and signature smoke. Better drunk than the amazing Smokehead Smoke mask glass.
Best whiskey gift set
Raasay Island Scotch gift set, 70cl
£62.95 at Steel Spirit
£65 at Raasay Distillery
The rugged Hebridean island of Raasay (population 161) is home to the Raasay Distillery, which produces this light single malt. Matured in rye, oak and Bordeaux barrels, it is a complex drop with flavors of dark wild fruit, toffee, spice and smoke. Take this cleverly packaged set to your host: two beautiful ones Glencairn Tasting glasses are included along with a decanter-shaped bottle for sharing.
The best sherry-led whisky
Lakes The whiskey maker’s reserve number 7, 70cl
£82.95 at The Whiskey Exchange
£85.50 at Amazon
This is part of the rogue implication because it’s not quite scotch. But it tastes so delicious – and The Lakes Distillery is less than an hour from the Scottish Border – that I’ll make an exception. The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No 7 is a single malt made into a whisky Dalmore; Led by sherry, it was matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks, plus a few red wine casks thrown in for good measure. The result is rich with warm spices and layers of wood, complex and intelligent and best enjoyed over a roaring fire with a heavy dose of poetry – Scottish or otherwise. Adding hot chocolate after a chilling outing is a bit pricey — but I definitely didn’t regret doing it.
Joan Gould is a freelance food, drink and lifestyle writer with a decade of experience. As well as enthusiastically dining at London’s best bars and restaurants, she’s also…He is also a keen home cook and can often be found trying a new recipe or kitchen gadget, while taste-testing anything from South African wines to specialty coffee or scotch.. Fortunately, she also enjoys walking, running, and saving Fit and healthy in her spare time – for balance
