Raise a dram: The best Scotch whiskies to celebrate Burns Night 2025

As Burns Night approaches on January 25, whisky enthusiasts around the world prepare to honour Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. Known for his evocative verses celebrating life, love, and the spirit of Scotland, Burns inspires the annual celebration that often includes haggis, poetry, and of course, a dram or two of Scotch whisky.

Whether you’re hosting a traditional Burns Supper or enjoying a quiet evening with your favorite poetry and a glass of Scotch, there’s a whisky to suit every palate. From smoky peat to sherried richness, here are the best Scotch whiskies to toast the Bard of Ayrshire. Slàinte mhath!

Highland Park 18 Year Old

ABV: 43%,  £135 The Whisky Exchange
Highland Park’s 18 Year Old single malt is a masterclass in balance and complexity. Utilising aromatic peat from Hobbister Moor and sherry-seasoned oak casks, this whisky offers ripe cherries dusted with bittersweet cocoa, honeycomb sweetness, and a hint of candied orange peel. Ideal for a sophisticated toast to Robert Burns.

Highland Park 12 Year Old

ABV: 40%, £41 The Whisky Exchange
A younger, more affordable sibling to the 18 Year Old, the Highland Park 12 Year Old is a bold introduction to the distillery’s signature style. Intensely malty with lingering smoky depth, the bittersweet balance gives way to a honeyed finish. An approachable yet complex choice for your Burns Night dram.

Glen Grant 15 Year Old

ABV 50%, £65.75 The Whisky Exchange 
Crafted at batch strength by Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm, this 15 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky embodies all that’s exciting about this Speyside distillery’s signature style. Expect spiced pear, apricot, and vanilla on the palate, with a nutty exit and delicate notes of fruit.  

Glen Grant, 18 Year Old

ABV 43% £125 The Whisky Exchange
Stepping up in sophistication, this complex single malt Scotch whisky delivers delicate notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and raisins with hints of spice. The perfect celebratory dram, this whisky has a particularly long and poetic finish.

The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old 

ABV: 43%, £72 Master of Malt
Part of Macallan’s acclaimed Double Cask range, this 12 Year Old whisky marries classic Macallan richness with the gentle sweetness of American oak. Flavours of fudge, citrus, and soft spice create a well-rounded profile certain to pair with any indulgent Burns Night feast.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish

ABV: 48%, £60 The Whisky Exchange
For fans of bold, peaty whiskies, Laphroaig’s 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish is a standout. Finished for over a year in Oloroso sherry casks, it combines the distillery’s signature smoky intensity with rich notes of dark chocolate and maple syrup. A fine choice for those who appreciate a dram with depth and character.

The Macallan Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak

ABV: 44.2%, £160 Master of Malt
The fourth release in The Macallan Harmony Collection, Vibrant Oak is a celebration of the distillery’s relationship with oak casks. Developed in collaboration with Cirque Du Soleil (!), this whisky is a sensory journey, delivering notes of vanilla, lime, sweet oak, apple, and toasted almonds.

The Macallan: A Night on Earth in Jerez de la Frontera 

ABV: 40%, £103 The Whisky Exchange
Inspired by Jerez de la Frontera, the birthplace of The Macallan’s sherry casks, this limited-edition single malt speaks of craftsmanship and tradition. Matured in European and American sherry-seasoned oak, it offers a luxurious profile of dried fruits, warm spices, and a lingering richness.

From smoky and peaty to sweet and sherried, these whiskies offer a range of flavours to complement any Burns Night celebration. So don your tartan, recite ‘Address to a Haggis’, and let the whisky flow.