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Browse our curated list of scotch whiskies for the perfect Burns Night celebration
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Browse our curated list of scotch whiskies for the perfect Burns Night celebration
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Celebrate Burns Night with our selection of premium Scotch whiskies. Raise a glass to Scotland's beloved poet, Robert Burns, with great whisky and food. Discover rare and classic drams perfect for toasting the great man. Read on for the ideal whisky pairings to accompany your Burns Night Supper!
The annual celebration of Robert Burns' life is a Scottish tradition that takes place on January 25th, his birthday. This event has become widely popular worldwide, especially among whisky enthusiasts. If you've been avoiding alcohol after the holiday season, Robbie's birthday on the 25th is a perfect excuse to break your dry January!
A traditional Burns Supper typically begins with a soup course. Common choices are Cock-a-Leekie, a soup made with leeks and peppery chicken stock, or Cullen Skink, a smoked haddock soup. Both of these pair well with a whisky that has maritime, coastal peat notes and a touch of pepper. Have we just described Talisker 10? By Robbie’s quill, it seems we have!
The second course is the highlight of the evening: the haggis. The haggis should be "piped in" with bagpipes, but if you don't have a piper on hand, you can find some fitting music on your favorite streaming service. Along with the music, someone will need to read Robbie's "Address to a Haggis." Time to channel your best Scottish accent and tackle his tricky verse. Keep a knife ready to ceremoniously slice the haggis. If you have Scottish guests, they typically appreciate your efforts, but you could always invite them to recite the address themselves.
“Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!”
Haggis is a spicy blend of sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs mixed with onion, oatmeal, spices, and suet, traditionally cooked in the animal's stomach (though the stomach is usually discarded after cooking). If that sounds intense, don't worry—it's delicious, and most people love it once they get past the initial hesitations. It's a true Scottish delicacy.
When it comes to whisky pairings, you have plenty of options. The Talisker you served with the soup will work well, but for variety, just about any robust whisky will do—perhaps a sherried Glenfarclas 15 or Glendronach 12.
To finish the meal, a Scottish classic dessert like Cranachan is a great choice. Made with whipped cream, oats, honey, and raspberries, with a touch of whisky, it pairs wonderfully with a honeyed dram like Balvenie Doublewood. Or, if you're in the mood for something more akin to a dessert wine, Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or is an excellent option.
