If there’s one night to open a special bottle of whisky, then it’s Burns Night. If you’re celebrating the Scottish poet (or just looking for excuse to drink and feast), then you’ll want a Scotch that’s a guaranteed hit. We’ve pulled together some of best whiskies whatever your budget and preference - Sláinte Mhath!
The Best Scotch Whisky Under £35
Black Bottle Captain's Cask - Alchemy Series Whisky
Inside this gorgeous retro bottle is a round-the-world journey from Scotland to the Caribbean. Smooth malts meet intense ones, as well as aged grain and peated malts, all before finishing in rum casks. As a result, the depth is fantastic, with subtle wafts of smoke, raisins, coffee, oak, and caramel. A complete flavour explosion.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find here: £28.95
Angels’ Nectar Original Whisky
This is a great blend of Speyside and Highland malts, and a step above most of the blended whiskies in supermarkets. The nose is delicate and pleasantly grassy until the first sip unveils tasty oat notes, orchard fruits, toffee, and a little vanilla, before the peppery finish.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £33.95
Creag Dhu Whisky
The backdrop of this beautiful bottle lets you know what Creag Dhu are all about. If you like smoky scotch, then you should be aware that the peat burning required isn’t all that great for the environment – with carbon release and biodiverse peatlands cut into. However, Creag Dhu put money into saving these precious peatlands, and this bottle isn’t peated itself. It’s a Speyside dram, aged for 8 years and all that time in sherry casks delivers luscious, dried fruits, honey notes and nutty malt. The charred spice finish is dreamy.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £33.99
The Best Scotch Whisky Under £50
GlenAllachie 8 Year Old Whisky
This whisky brings all the sherried ageing you expect from GlenAllachie, but as well as two different sherry casks, it’s rested in virgin oak and red wine barriques. The result? Rich, syrupy, fruits, but balanced. Expect warming spice, floral honey, nutty malt, heaps of dried fruits, and a surprising minty finish. Every sip is so interesting, and it’s a great whisky to share around and explore together.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £43.99 (usually more!)
Fettercairn 12 Year Old Whisky
This is a young whisky for Fettercairn, but still carries those tropical, floral notes the distillery is loved for. Old bourbon barrels have used those 12 years to infuse mellow, ginger spice and toffee flavours, which join peach, pear, and vanilla. It’s lovely and accessible, but the masterful balance will impress seasoned dram drainers all the same.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £47.50
Bladnoch Vinaya Whisky
Bladnoch’s new ownership have been doing great things, like Vinaya, their single malt taking on the beautiful flavours of first-fill bourbon and sherry casks. From lowland florals to winter spice, there is a comforting sweetness and dried fruits punch to this expression that is very comforting indeed.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £47.90 (usually more!)
Great Scotch Whisky Over £50
Ardbeg Uigeadail Whisky
Ardbeg is peat, peat is Ardbeg. But perhaps that is a disservice to the exceptional balance this Islay distilleries weaves into their intense, smoky expression. This one is named after a nearby loch and displays the brilliance of their sweet and savoury style. Expect maritime salinity, dried fruits from sherry casks and curious complexity.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 54%
Find here: £59.75
Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Whisky
This is a standout rich and indulgent Scotch, blending over 20 single malts from across Scotland. The awards speak for themselves with this one, picking up international gongs for its excellence. It’s fantastically smooth and silky, with winter spices, malt and marmalade integrated masterfully. Tremendous dram.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £69.95
The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky
This is one of the best ‘celebrity drinks’ out there. Maybe the best. It’s the passion project of Sam Heughan (aka Jamie Fraser from Outlander), and shortly after launching it was awarded the prestigious Double Gold at the 2020 World Spirits Competition. Malts between 9 and 20 years old have been delicately blended to deliver mouthwatering caramel, vanilla and baking spices. Dreamy dram.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £79.90 (usually more!)
Whisky and haggis are, of course, a classic combo for Burns Night, but if you fancy some other drinks to pair with it then check out our guide here!