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If you’re having a Burns Night celebration (or just toasting Rabbie in your living room) make sure you do it in style. We’ve sampled Scotch whiskies, distilled with passion across the county.
From the Royals’ (surprisingly affordable) dram of choice Johnnie Walker Black Label 12-Year-Old to the rather special Highland Park 25-Year-Old, there’s a tipple for every budget on our list.
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10 best Scotch WhiskiesShow all 10 1 /1010 best Scotch Whiskies 10 best Scotch Whiskies Glen Grant 10-Year-Old Dry, peaty, and very sophisticated, this Speyside 10-year-old is a steal. Little wonder it’s one of the world’s best-selling single malts and received 95 points in Jim Murray’s most recent Whisky Bible. An easy-going dram, not too heavy on the smoke.
£29, timeswhiskyclub.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies Talisker Storm Those facing a wet 25 January, should shelter themselves from the elements with a dram of Talisker Storm. The excellent distillery has drawn from its maritime surrounds – on the coast of the Isle of Skye – and has fashioned a rich, smoky drink.
£34, waitrose.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage The first of the Glenrothes vintages to emerge from the distillery since new Malt Master, Gordon Motion, took over. Some accuse it of being too simple on the palate - caramel and spice feature heavily - but for our money, that’s the charm of this gentle drink.
£55, bbr.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies Ballantine’s 17-Year-Old Ballantine’s teenager has won a constellation of awards of late including Scotch of the year 2013 in the Whisky Bible. We love this full-bodied blended scotch, with its creamy texture, flavours of vanilla and slight kick in the finish.
£44, masterofmalt.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies Ardbeg Uigeadail Named for the loch where the celebrated distillery gets its waters, this whisky has been showered with awards. Sweet and silky, it provides the perfect finish to a Burns supper.
£60, ocado.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies Johnnie Walker Black Label 12-Year-Old For the price, this shows the skill of the blender remarkably well. It combines oomph on the tongue with sophistication and silkiness. There is vanilla, there is peat, and there is raisin flavours, too – together they’re formidable. You can see why the Royal Household favour JW.
£29,waitrose.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies Balblair 2003 This 2003 was matured in old bourbon casks until 2013, when the honeyed liquor was decanted into the beautiful Balblair bottles. On the palate it has a touch of orange, oodles of honey and a good spicy finish. The distillery at its best.
£39.99, thedrinkshop.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies Highland Park 25-Year-Old A single malt, matured in old sherry and bourbon casks, this is of singular quality. It hits the tongue in a tidal wave of loveliness, rich honey, toffee and white chocolate. For a whisky of its age, it is surprisingly sweet, and all the better for it.
£188, thewhiskyexchange.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies The Glenlivet 12 year old Very popular and reasonably priced, but don’t think this isn’t a quality whisky. Bring a bottle of this smooth, refreshing and easy-drinking Speyside to a Burns supper, and you’ll be a very popular guest.
£25.60, ocado.com
10 best Scotch Whiskies Glen Garioch 1797 Founder’s Reserve This single malt, from one of the oldest producers in Scotland, reaches maturity in bourbon and sherry casks. The makers claim its robust qualities of flavour, spice and richness make it the perfect accompaniment to a haggis. It tastes very fine on its own too.
£29.20, masterofmalt.com
Verdict
Dry and Peaty Glen Grant 10-Year-Old is as good as you’ll get for under £30. For a bottle that will look as good on your haggis, neeps and tatties-laden table as it tastes, we like the Balblair 2003.
Buy now
1. Glen Grant 10-Year-Old, £29
2. Talisker Storm, £34
3. The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage, £55
4. Ballantine’s 17-Year-Old, £44
5. Ardbeg Uigeadail, £60
6. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12-Year-Old, £29
7. Balblair 2003, £39.99
8. Highland Park 25-Year-Old, £188
9. The Glenlivet 12 year old, £25.60
10. Glen Garioch 1797, £29.20