As the 25th of January approaches, thoughts turn — as Robert Burns so reliably intended — to poetry, friendship and a glass raised in good company. In Scotch Drink, penned as a reaction to the British government’s taxation of the drink, Burns hails whisky as both social glue and national emblem: something warming the body, sharpening the wit and encouraging fellowship long after the haggis has been served. For Burns Night, then, the choice of dram matters.
Two single malts in particular feel especially attuned to the spirit of the evening — each different in style, yet united in their ability to invite conversation, comfort and a lingering sense of occasion.
Benriach The Twelve
Speyside’s Benriach has long been known for its willingness to experiment, and The Twelve is a fine example of how complexity can still feel welcoming. Matured across a trio of casks, this is a whisky that layers flavour without losing its sense of ease — the sort of dram that encourages another pour rather than demands solemn contemplation.
In the glass, it glows a golden bronze, offering aromas of maple honey, cocoa and baked forest fruits. The palate unfolds gently: maraschino cherry and baked orange lead into hazelnut, before settling into a lingering finish of sultana and spiced mocha. Bottled at 46% ABV and presented in natural colour, it carries enough weight to be satisfying while remaining versatile enough to suit a long evening at the table.
This is a whisky for “coorie doon” moments — the Scottish art of getting cosy — ideal for Burns Night spent among friends, poetry books dog-eared, laughter flowing as freely as the dram.
For more information, please visit www.benriachdistillery.com.
The Glendronach 12 Year Old
If Benriach speaks of convivial warmth, The Glendronach 12 Year Old is a whisky entirely comfortable in its own skin. As the flagship expression from one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries, it reflects nearly two centuries of Highland craftsmanship, with time-honoured methods still shaping its character.
Its rich amber-red hue hints at the sherried depth to come. On the nose, autumn fruits mingle with chocolate praline, gingerbread and sun-dried raisin. The palate follows with caramelised bramble, silky orange and sultana, wrapped in a warming spice that feels particularly apt on a January night.
Bottled at 43% ABV and also presented in natural colour, this is a composed, reassuring whisky — one that pairs beautifully with the formalities of Burns Night, from the Address to the Haggis to the final chorus of Auld Lang Syne.
For more information, please visit www.glendronachdistillery.com.
A Toast, Then
Burns wrote of whisky as a democratic pleasure — a drink that belongs at the heart of shared moments. Whether you favour the layered generosity of Benriach The Twelve or the sherried elegance of The Glendronach 12 Year Old, both offer something fitting for the occasion.
On Burns Night, raise a glass not just to Scotland’s national poet, but to the enduring joy of a well-made dram — warming hands, loosening tongues, and reminding us that some traditions are worth savouring slowly. Slàinte.
