Whether you’re arranging an informal Burns Supper for a few friends or a five course meal complete with piper we’ve got a few suggestions for some whiskies to accompany the food (and being lovers of haggis we tend to try different whisky/haggis combinations at various times throughout the year – I can really recommend it).
To kick off your evening in style why not make your welcoming dram the aptly named Robert Burns Single Malt from the Arran distillery? Typical Arran characteristics of apple, citrus and custard/cream make this a great way to open up your Burns Night.
Then, on to the food! We had a cracking Burns Night dinner with Ian Murray of Balvenie/Glenfiddich last year (he is definitely one of our ‘Whisky Heroes’) and to accompany the Cullen Skink Ian suggested the Balvenie 17 year old Peated Cask and this was such a successful pairing that all I can say is try this one for yourselves, it really works!
If you’re having Scotch Broth as a starter or a main course then the Benrinnes 1997 11 year old from the Douglas Laing Provenance range of whiskies makes a wonderful companion. The rich, meatiness of the whisky adds depth and flavour to the Scotch Broth and really enhances it. Lush!
On to the haggis! You can go down several routes with this. Firstly, a rich, sherried whisky, such as the GlenDronach 21 year old, can enrich the spicy, pepper of the haggis and it makes a delicious counterpoint to it. Or you could try something like the Balvenie 15 year old Single Barrel, whose complexity coupled with honey and vanilla notes and light smokiness really sings in the mouth with the haggis. Alternatively, for peat lovers, try experimenting with the BenRiach Curiositas or the Longrow 14 year old with your haggis – both of which connect beautifully with the haggis without overwhelming it.
Last (but in my book certainly not least) is what to have with your Cranachan. Again, purely in the interests of our customers, we have done extensive research into this and one of our favourite whiskies to go with Cranachan is the floral, gentle but characterful Hazelburn 8 year old.
Good food, good friends and good whisky - the perfect mix for a successful Burns Night.
Sláinte!
