Traditional and modern scotches to celebrate Robbie Burns day
Happy Robbie Burns Day! Wine and spirits expert, Christopher Waters took us on a journey from traditional to modern scotches to celebrate the day.
Robbie Burns Day is a Scottish holiday named after poet and writer, Robert Burns. The day has quickly become a day to celebrate Scottish culture as a whole and Waters says a big part of that is Scotch Whiskey.
Waters says Scotch has become widely popular and has some examples of some traditional and modern Scotches for everybody.
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Black Label is a benchmark for whiskey blends around the world. It is crafted using a mix of as many as 40 malts and grains from all four corners of Scotland.
The tasting points include notes of tropical fruits and vanilla on the nose with flavours of creamy toffee and a smooth, warming, smoky finish. Waters says it is versatile and approachable and appeals to a broad range of tastes, whether you’re whiskey-curious or an aficionado.
Talisker 10
Talisker 10 is an example of an Islay Single Malt, hailing from the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
It has a sea-salty note on the nose and a smoky sweet character. Talisker is one of the most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the world and pairs great with seafood.
Waters says it is also a great option for those looking for an eco-friendlier option. Talisker is on a mission to increase its sustainability with every bottle and to protect and rewild the sea that gives it its distinctive taste.
It is a powerful and challenging whiskey, full-bodied with a signature peppery and smoky sweetness. It is best served neat with a strong barley-malt flavour with a finish that is long and warming, with a hint of pepperiness at the back of the mouth.
Lagavulin 8
Lagavulin 8 was released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Lagavulin distillery. It is a celebration of the people and craft that have made Lagavulin the definitive Islay malt.
Waters says adding just a drop of water unlocks the full flavours, with fragrant, tea-scented smoke and maritime aromas.
The tasting points include subtle cereal. It is intensely flavoured, sweet and spicy on the palate with strong notes of peat and concludes with a long finish giving a subtle hint of chocolatey tannins.
Bunnahabhain 12 Year
Bunnahabhain means “mouth of the river” in Gaelic. It was established in 1881, built close to the Maragdale River where pure spring water is piped to the distillery. It is the only Islay to use natural spring water with no peat influence.
All maturation is done at Bunnahabhain with coastal sea air influencing the character of the dram, producing a unique undertone.
