Scotch
Burns Night: three drams that capture the landscape of Scotland’s ploughman poet
Jan
Burns Night: Robert Burns grew up in the Lowlands and his writing reflected the people and places of Scotland. Here are three whiskies to toast the poet on Burns Night
Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert (Rabbie) Burns, was born and grew up in Ayrshire, a landscape of fertile plains, dramatic coastlines and deep river valleys. He captured these places in his poetry and also a sense of the people that lived there. He was only 37 years old when he died in 1796, but the impact of his writing has shaped his country’s culture and identity.
To mark this year’s Burns’ Night (Sunday, January 25th), here are three drams to make a perfect Burns’ Night tasting:
LITTLEMILL 25-YEAR-OLD
When Littlemill closed in 1994, the dismantling of this historic cornerstone of Scottish distilling ensured there was no coming back. The building was stripped of assets and subsequently destroyed by fire, making this Lowland operation on the banks of the River Clyde one of the quietest silent distilleries there is. But well before that closure and within the years of Rabbie Burns, Littlemill thrived in Burns’ country.
Littlemill 25, bottled at 50.4%, is part of the brand’s Private Cellar Edition. Released in 2015, it represents the final years of the working distillery, having been laid down in the very late 1980s or early 1990, some four years before the distillery closed. It’s one of 1,500 bottles released and its value today is undoubtedly linked to its origins, as well as the quality of the whisky. After maturing in a combination of oak casks, it was married in an Oloroso sherry cask and comes with a miniature 5cl bottle so you can sample this unique whisky without opening the larger bottle.
Scotch Whisky
€455.28 (Ex. VAT)
GLEN SCOTIA 25
Glen Scotia is just one of three distilleries left in the harbour town of Campbeltown that was once known as the Victorian whisky capital of the world. Rabbie Burns would have certainly experienced this time period when the region was bustling with distilleries. At its peak, there were some 30 working distilleries in the town.
Glen Scotia 25 is a single malt, matured in American oak for 24 years with one additional year in ex-bourbon. Bottled at 48.8%, it’s a complex and full-bodied whisky that its makers claim captures the essence of its coastal location. They describe its maritime influence on the nose, the flavour of the sea coming off Killdaloig Bay on the taste and sea salt on the long, satisfying finish. You’ll also find vanilla, citrus and cloves dropping themselves into those maritime layers and a caramel sweetness that complements a hint of spice.
In 2021, it claimed the Best in the World title at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Scotch Whisky
€44.88 (Ex. VAT)
CLYNELISH 14
Clynelish opened in the years after Rabbie Burns passed away, but the whisky that its owners set out to make reflected the flavours and style of earlier distilleries. Today, much of the Clynelish output is used by its owner Diageo for its world-famous blends, including Johnnie Walker. Consequently, this 14-year-old release is a wonderful opportunity to taste whisky that is more in tune with the flavours and whisky styles that Rabbie Burns would have enjoyed.
Lightly peated and with a distinct coastal character, this flagship expression from Clynelish is bottled at 46% per cent. The smoke on the aroma of this fine single malt is wrapped in delicious citrus notes of orange and lemon zest. On the palate you’ll discover lots of oak, fruit, vanilla and even a leathery note. The finish is deep and carries a wonderful spice enrobed in sweet honey layers.
Click here for more whiskies to toast Robert Burns on Burns Night
