Whiskies and glassware for raising a toast on Burns Night – Burns Night News

Whiskies and glassware for raising a toast on Burns Night

Burns Night on Monday 25 January provides the perfect excuse to enjoy a dram or two of fine whisky and to raise a toast to the legendary Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Whether you’re a whisky novice or connoisseur, here’s a list of delicious whiskies to suit every palate and price range as well as some beautiful glassware to enhance your tasting experience.

Glenmorangie Lasanta, £47

Gaelic for “warmth and passion,” the 12-year-old single-malt Lasanta is extra-matured in Spanish sherry casks, revealing enticing aromas, full-bodied flavours and a lusciously soft texture. Aged for 10 years in first and second fill ex-bourbon casks, then ‘finished’ in Oloroso and PX Sherry casks, the creation of Lasanta is an exercise in fine-tuning, with Glenmorangie’s craftsmen seeking a smoother, sweeter whisky than is traditional in the Highlands. The ideal whisky to enjoy with your haggis on Burns Night.

Available through www.clos19.com  www.glenmorangie.com 

Ardbeg Wee Beastie, £39

For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on the remote Scottish isle of Islay. This new single-malt style showcases the daring, experimental side of the distillery. Aged just 5 years, but with a feisty and intensely powerful flavour, Wee Beastie has been matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.  Untamed by age, it accentuates the raw power of Islay whisky. Intensely smoky, with notes of cracked black pepper, tar and savoury meats, Wee Beastie has been described as a ‘monster of a dram’ and it’s not for the faint hearted.

Available through www.clos19.com  www.ardbeg.com

Glenmorangie Malaga Cask, £75

Indulgently sweet and rich, Glenmorangie’s latest small-batch Highland single malt Scotch whisky brings the sun-kissed flavours of the south of Spain to whisky lovers old and new. Enriched by the honeyed intensity of famed Malaga wine casks, 12-year-old limited edition Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish brims with chocolate, fruit and gentle spice.

Available through www.clos19.com  www.glenmorangie.com

Ardbeg An Oa, £49

An Oa – part of Ardbeg’s core range of whiskies – is named after the Mull of Oa in the south west of Islay where the distillery is situated. The whisky is singularly rounded due to time spent in the bespoke oak Gathering Vat where whiskies from several cask types – including; sweet Pedro Ximénez; spicy virgin charred oak; and intense ex-bourbon casks, amongst others, mingle unhurriedly. The result is a dram with smoky power, mellowed by a delectable, smooth sweetness and a truly untamed single malt. Ideal for those whisky lovers who prefer a more peaty, smoky dram with their neeps and tatties.

Available through www.clos19.com.  www.ardbeg.com

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1996, £635

Sixth in the Bond House No. 1 Collection, Grand Vintage 1996 is the first Glenmorangie whisky to be aged in specially designed casks. The casks are first seasoned with bourbon for four years, then lightly charred to magnify Glenmorangie’s creamy character. The result is a smoother, rounder single malt whisky, aged for a total of 23 years and a rare chance to own a piece of the distillery’s history.

Available through www.clos19.com  www.glenmorangie.com 

The Glencairn Crystal Glassware Range

Every whisky aficionado will tell you that the only way to drink whisky is from the iconic Glencairn Glass – in fact 3 million glasses are now sold every year across the world. Endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association as the official glass for whisky, its unique and stylish shape has been crafted to enhance the enjoyment of both single malts and aged blends. The tapering mouth of the glass captures those all-important aromas,  and its wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky colour with the thistle style base designed to be comfortable in the hand.

There’s a wide range of Glencairn Glasses to suit all budgets starting from a beautifully presented single glass (uncut or hand cut crystal) with prices from £6.

Or you could try something special to serve your whisky from such as Glencairn’s best-selling decanter designed in the shape of a whisky pot still. This beautiful crystal decanter holds 75cl and comes in a stylish presentation box, RRP £70.

The Glencairn Glassware range can be personalised with bespoke engraving to create a truly unique gift and is available at the Glencairn online shop.

Responsible Drinking:

Glenmorangie and Ardbeg advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.