Whisky has long been central to Burns Night, the annual celebration of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, held each year on January 25. Traditionally marked with haggis, poetry and music, the evening is also an opportunity to explore Scotch whisky in all its variety, from approachable blends to characterful single malts.
For Burns Night 2026, this selection brings together a small group of whiskies that reflect different aspects of Scotland’s whisky-making heritage. Some have direct literary or historical links to Burns, while others echo the landscapes, folklore and regional styles that shaped the world he wrote about.
Together, they offer a considered range of styles and price points. Slàinte!
Cutty Sark Original Blended Scotch Whisky, £23.95 Few whiskies wear their Burns connection as openly as Cutty Sark. The name itself is lifted directly from Tam O’Shanter, widely regarded as Burns’ finest narrative poem, and its literary roots run deeper than many realise.
The Cutty Sark clipper – after which the whisky takes its name – was launched in 1869, its builders turning to Burns’ poetry for inspiration. In Tam O’Shanter, the ‘cutty sark’ is the short nightdress worn by the witch Nannie Dee, whose dance prompts Tam’s famous exclamation, “Weel done, Cutty-Sark.” The image proved so enduring that Nannie, clutching the tail of Tam’s horse Meg, became the ship’s figurehead, still visible today on the preserved vessel in London.
The whisky itself reflects a similarly approachable spirit. Cutty Sark Original is a blended Scotch, marrying selected single malts with grain whiskies, matured primarily in American oak casks. Bottled at 40% ABV, the result is light, smooth and clean.
On the nose, expect vanilla, citrus peel and a cereal sweetness. The palate is mellow and easy-going, with soft oak, hints of toffee and a whisper of spice.
Caoineag The Weeping Spirit Ben Nevis 2019 6 Year Old, £59.95 Leaning into Scotland’s darker folklore, this dram draws inspiration from the Caoineag, a spectral figure said to foretell tragedy through mourning cries heard near lochs and rivers.
Distilled at Ben Nevis and bottled non-chill-filtered, this six-year-old single malt has been matured in oak casks and bottled at 55% ABV.
The nose opens with earthy peat, damp soil and dark chocolate, followed by citrus notes of singed orange peel and lime. On the palate, sweet loaminess gives way to fruity bitterness and smoky depth.
Torabhaig Sound of Sleat, £58.25 Part of Torabhaig’s Legacy Series, Sound of Sleat is named after the narrow stretch of water separating Skye from the mainland, visible from the distillery.
Matured in a combination of new American oak and ex-bourbon barrels, this island single malt has an ABV of 46% and offers a maritime nose, with citrus zest, stone fruit and seaweed. On the palate, bonfire smoke is woven through honey, vanilla and soft spice.
There’s a cultural echo here too. Skye’s Gaelic traditions, particularly its music, were part of the wider Scottish cultural landscape Burns inhabited. Local lore suggests Burns was introduced to Highland bagpipe music by a MacArthur piper with Skye connections…
The nose offers treacle toffee, crystallised fruit and stem ginger, with layers of dark chocolate, walnuts, dried mushrooms, cinnamon and nutmeg on the palate. A fitting conclusion to any Burns Night gathering.
The Virginia Distillery Company has made its UK debut with the release of eight American single malt whiskies. The family-owned producer is introducing both of its core whisky ranges simultaneously, giving UK drinkers a broad view of its house style and production philosophy. Founded in 2011, the distillery was the vision of George Moore, an…
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
Aged in oak for 50 years, Taylor’s Single Harvest 1976 Port is the latest addition to the brand’s prestigious collection of long-aged, cask-matured port. Drawn from a single year’s harvest and matured in oak, the liquid boasts a copper-amber colour in the glass, with aromas of gingerbread, Seville orange, marzipan and soft caramel. On the…
The Luxe Review 
Whisky has long been central to Burns Night, the annual celebration of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, held each year on January 25. Traditionally marked with haggis, poetry and music, the evening is also an opportunity to explore Scotch whisky in all its variety, from approachable blends to characterful single malts.
For Burns Night 2026, this selection brings together a small group of whiskies that reflect different aspects of Scotland’s whisky-making heritage. Some have direct literary or historical links to Burns, while others echo the landscapes, folklore and regional styles that shaped the world he wrote about.
Together, they offer a considered range of styles and price points. Slàinte!
Cutty Sark Original Blended Scotch Whisky, £23.95
Few whiskies wear their Burns connection as openly as Cutty Sark. The name itself is lifted directly from Tam O’Shanter, widely regarded as Burns’ finest narrative poem, and its literary roots run deeper than many realise.
The Cutty Sark clipper – after which the whisky takes its name – was launched in 1869, its builders turning to Burns’ poetry for inspiration. In Tam O’Shanter, the ‘cutty sark’ is the short nightdress worn by the witch Nannie Dee, whose dance prompts Tam’s famous exclamation, “Weel done, Cutty-Sark.” The image proved so enduring that Nannie, clutching the tail of Tam’s horse Meg, became the ship’s figurehead, still visible today on the preserved vessel in London.
The whisky itself reflects a similarly approachable spirit. Cutty Sark Original is a blended Scotch, marrying selected single malts with grain whiskies, matured primarily in American oak casks. Bottled at 40% ABV, the result is light, smooth and clean.
On the nose, expect vanilla, citrus peel and a cereal sweetness. The palate is mellow and easy-going, with soft oak, hints of toffee and a whisper of spice.
Caoineag The Weeping Spirit Ben Nevis 2019 6 Year Old, £59.95
Leaning into Scotland’s darker folklore, this dram draws inspiration from the Caoineag, a spectral figure said to foretell tragedy through mourning cries heard near lochs and rivers.
Distilled at Ben Nevis and bottled non-chill-filtered, this six-year-old single malt has been matured in oak casks and bottled at 55% ABV.
The nose opens with earthy peat, damp soil and dark chocolate, followed by citrus notes of singed orange peel and lime. On the palate, sweet loaminess gives way to fruity bitterness and smoky depth.
Torabhaig Sound of Sleat, £58.25
Part of Torabhaig’s Legacy Series, Sound of Sleat is named after the narrow stretch of water separating Skye from the mainland, visible from the distillery.
Matured in a combination of new American oak and ex-bourbon barrels, this island single malt has an ABV of 46% and offers a maritime nose, with citrus zest, stone fruit and seaweed. On the palate, bonfire smoke is woven through honey, vanilla and soft spice.
There’s a cultural echo here too. Skye’s Gaelic traditions, particularly its music, were part of the wider Scottish cultural landscape Burns inhabited. Local lore suggests Burns was introduced to Highland bagpipe music by a MacArthur piper with Skye connections…
Glen Scotia 2014, 10 Year Old Whisky Show 2025 Exclusive, £87.95
This heavily peated 10-year-old, bottled at 55.9% ABV, and released exclusively for The Whisky Exchange’s Whisky Show 2025, has been matured entirely in a single first-fill bourbon barrel.
The nose offers soft grassy peat, jasmine, white flowers and a thread of liquorice, underpinned by warming oak spice.
On the palate, the smoke settles into the background, allowing herbal notes, dark chocolate and gentle sweetness to emerge.
Blair Athol 2007, The Seasons: Winter, The Whisky Exchange, £110
This 16-year-old Blair Athol, released as part of The Whisky Exchange’s Seasons: Winter series, has been matured exclusively in a single oloroso sherry cask, and bottled at 55.1% ABV.
The nose offers treacle toffee, crystallised fruit and stem ginger, with layers of dark chocolate, walnuts, dried mushrooms, cinnamon and nutmeg on the palate. A fitting conclusion to any Burns Night gathering.
Virginia Distillery stages UK launch with eight strong American single malt whisky range
The Virginia Distillery Company has made its UK debut with the release of eight American single malt whiskies. The family-owned producer is introducing both of its core whisky ranges simultaneously, giving UK drinkers a broad view of its house style and production philosophy. Founded in 2011, the distillery was the vision of George Moore, an…
Redbreast Irish Whiskey Moscatel Wine Cask Edition adds Mediterranean influence to Iberian Series
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
Taylor’s releases celebratory 50 year old cask-matured Single Harvest 1976 Port
Aged in oak for 50 years, Taylor’s Single Harvest 1976 Port is the latest addition to the brand’s prestigious collection of long-aged, cask-matured port. Drawn from a single year’s harvest and matured in oak, the liquid boasts a copper-amber colour in the glass, with aromas of gingerbread, Seville orange, marzipan and soft caramel. On the…
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