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 Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022. Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s…
The Dalmore has added a new permanent whisky to its core Principal Collection, a 17 year old Highland single malt that deepens the distillery’s long-standing exploration of Sherry cask maturation. The Dalmore Aged 17 Years is positioned as an evolution of the house style, building on techniques that have defined the brand for decades. The…
Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge is marking Lunar New Year with a season-long programme of fine dining, to welcome the Year of the Horse in suitably elegant fashion. From early February through to March, the hotel’s public spaces and signature Asian restaurant, Mei Ume, will play host to a series of experiences designed…
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.
Licensed to thrill: The Macallan marks Diamonds Are Forever with 55th anniversary Bond whisky
The Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022. Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s…
The Dalmore 17 Year Old offers deeper take on sherry finished whisky
The Dalmore has added a new permanent whisky to its core Principal Collection, a 17 year old Highland single malt that deepens the distillery’s long-standing exploration of Sherry cask maturation. The Dalmore Aged 17 Years is positioned as an evolution of the house style, building on techniques that have defined the brand for decades. The…
Four Seasons London celebrates Lunar New Year with limited edition cocktails and tasting menu
Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge is marking Lunar New Year with a season-long programme of fine dining, to welcome the Year of the Horse in suitably elegant fashion. From early February through to March, the hotel’s public spaces and signature Asian restaurant, Mei Ume, will play host to a series of experiences designed…
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