Burns Night is around the corner, and it’s time to choose your perfect dram for the occasion. To celebrate the Scottish bard’s birthday, we’ve brought together a collection of recent Scotch releases to pour out on the 25th. From the Burns Night limited editions to the bottles you may have missed, join Whisky Magazine in raising a glass next Thursday.
Burns Night Bargains
Celebrating on a budget? No need to miss out on something exciting with one of these bottles.
Glen Moray Twisted Vine
This recent release from Glen Moray will find favour amongst new whisky drinkers and long-time fans of the distillery, thanks to its easy approachability, complex flavours, and outstanding value. In fact, it’s already received a combined score of 8.1 in Whisky Magazine’s blind tastings. Feeling creative? Try Twisted Vine in one of these suggested cocktail recipes from our December collaboration with Glen Moray.
Glen Moray Twisted Vine is available now on Amazon for £29.
Old Pulteney Harbour
Old Pulteney’s newest release Harbour is an easy-to-drink single malt, made to celebrate the brand’s connection to the shores of its hometown, Wick to the North Sea. Malcolm Waring, distillery manager at Pulteney, describes Old Pulteney Harbour as “our most approachable whisky yet.” Tasting notes from the brand highlight “warm, welcoming flavours”, finishing with Old Pulteney’s signature sea brine.
Old Pulteney Harbour will be available to purchase for £34 from 20 January 2024 across the UK, exclusively at Tesco.
Great-value treats
Mark the occasion with one of these mid-range choices.
The Glenlivet 200th Anniversary 12 Years Old
The Glenlivet celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, and has launched a limited edition 12 Years Old to mark the occasion. This bottling was matured in 100 per cent first fill American oak casks and sports a label designed by Studio Berdi who won The Glenlivet’s crowdsourcing campaign. We think a bottle made to celebrate deserves a place at the party this Burns Night!
The Glenlivet 200 Year Anniversary Limited Edition 12 Years Old is available now at The Whisky Exchange for £51.95.
Lochlea 5 Years Old
This 5th anniversary limited edition is Lochlea’s first age statement release since the distillery was founded on Lochlea Farm, where Robert Burns lived and worked.
Lochlea production director John Campbell shares: “In celebration of this special milestone, we felt it was fitting to release it on Burns Night as a nod to Robert Burns who once worked the land that we rely on for our own barley and, ultimately, our final spirit.”
Lochlea 5 Year Old is available from 25 January 2024 onwards from Lochlea stockists for £89.99.
Nc’nean and the Fife Arms
This extremely limited release is the result of a collaboration between Nc’nean and its 2023 cocktail competition winner Matt Morrison of the Fife Arms. Just 272 bottles will be available for purchase from Burns Night.
Sharing his thoughts on the bottling, Morrison says: “I’ve selected this cask because the flavours of banana bread and vanilla ice cream are amongst my favourite in whisky and the additional hint of spice this whisky presents leads to a fantastic and unique drinking experience.”
Nc’nean and the Fife Arms Aon 17-193 will be available on ncnean.com for £94.95 from 25 January 2024.
Man O’Words 2017 (1026)
If you’re looking to honour Robert Burns, Annandale Distillery’s latest bottling from their Man O’Words range, named in homage to Burns, is your opportunity. Tasting notes from the producers include flavours of stewed apple, walnuts and Christmas pudding – making this a drink to warm up your January evenings.
Man O’Words 2017 (1026) is available now from Master of Malt for £74.95.
Something special
Look no further for true luxury…
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old - Batch 4
Described by the Islay distillers as the “epitome of an aged Ardbeg”, Batch 4 of the 19 Years Old is drawn from American oak and oloroso sherry casks. Named after Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, this luxurious choice is a celebration of Scotland in a bottle.
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old – Batch 4 can be purchased from Masters of Malt for £299.
Tamdhu Cigar Malt III
Closing out our Burns Night suggestions is Tamdhu’s Cigar Malt III. The third edition of Tamdhu’s Cigar Malt range, this expression “showcases an especially bold flavour profile that harmonises beautifully with the finest of cigars”, according to Tamdhu distillery manager Sandy McIntyre.
McIntyre adds: “Cigar Malt III is testament to Tamdhu’s unwavering commitment to full-term sherry cask maturation, boasting an unparalleled depth and character.” Plus, if the whisky has you feeling poetic, Tamdhu are running a Burns Night competition that may be for you.
Cigar Malt III is available from tamdhu.com and at specialist retailers globally with a recommended price of £225.
