A signature date in the calendar, January 25th is Burns Night. A celebration marking the anniversary of the poet Robert Burns’ birth, one of Scotland’s national treasures, it’s typically an evening filled with food, laughter, good company and of course, whisky. In keeping with the spirit of tradition, whether you’re hosting a Burns supper or simply fancy topping up your drinks cabinet with top-quality drams, discover some of the most-loved Scottish whiskies at Tanners. We’ve hand-picked a selection below for inspiration ahead of Burns Night 2025.
Top Value
Try: Tomatin Legacy, Highland Single Malt Whisky, 43% vol
Tasting note: Legacy boasts aromas of vanilla, marshmallow, pineapple and lemon. On the palate, gentle flavours of candy, pine, lemon sherbet, apples and sponge cake emerge ahead of a light, clean finish.
Why this whisky? Tomatin Legacy is one of the most approachable whiskies on the market. With aromas and flavour that will delight any dedicated dram drinker, Legacy is also a fantastic tipple to introduce people to the wonderful world of whisky given its lighter style. So, if you know someone who proclaims that they ‘can’t stand whisky’, do encourage them to try this whisky as it may just change their mind. At under £35, it’s a whisky bargain!
The first distillery on the site was founded in 1897 and therefore it’s clear that the history of whisky production is embedded into the landscape. In 1974, Tomatin was the largest malt distillery in the world, so it has an impressive legacy behind it.
Tomatin has curated a mouth-watering core range of single malt whiskies that will not only delight any whisky lover but also offer a unique journey into non-age and age statements. The use of various cask maturation finishes across the core bottlings also contribute to a unique journey of aromas and flavours.
Named in homage to Tomatin’s dedication to its workforce across the ages, Legacy is the non-age statement in the core range. An unpeated single malt, it has spent time maturing in both Virgin Oak and Bourbon barrels which create a wonderfully light and refreshing whisky.
Pair with: Shortbread
Blend
Try: Tanners Peaty Creag, 8 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, 40% vol
Tasting note: The distinct Island-influenced peaty character is enveloped with notes of smooth toffee and molten caramel.
Why this whisky? A crafted masterpiece by the distinguished Ian MacLeod distillers, it has been a firm favourite of customers since its inception in the mid-90s. A truly exceptional example, with a higher proportion of malt than wider commercial blends, it’s a bargain blend under £25.
Reliable and consistent, this house blend is a firm favourite amongst Tanners customers. A blended Scotch (where the core ingredients consist of malted and unmalted barley, cereals, water and yeast), Tanners Peaty Creag is a whisky that is made for sipping and savouring all year long.
Pair with: Whisky glazed gammon
Speyside
Try: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, Speyside Single Malt Whisky, 40% vol
Tasting note: Fresh floral and fruity on the nose with a creamy and fruit-filled palate with a whisp of oak.
Why this whisky? Gaelic for Valley of the Deer, Glenfiddich is one of the biggest names in whisky worldwide. Created by William Grant and his family, the distillery has remained in family ownership since it was built in 1886 and is one of the very few remaining family-owned distilleries.
With iconic triangular-shaped bottles, all drinks cabinets need a bottle of Glenfiddich 12 year old.
Pair with: Pork Belly served with softened apple and caramelised onions
Highland
Try: Edradour 10 Year Old, Highland Single Malt Whisky, 40% vol
Tasting note: A delightful mixture of aromas including orchard apple, vanilla and crushed almonds complemented by a creamy palate with a hint of Christmas cake fruits and soft spices.
Why this whisky? Founded in 1825, Edradour is a picture-postcard distillery. Retaining many traditional features, Edradour’s original distillery is a working time capsule into single malt production.
Pair with: Edradour infused chicken liver pâté
Islands
Try: Highland Park 12 Year Old 'Viking Honour', Single Malt Whisky, Orkney
Tasting note: One of the most northern Scottish distilleries, along with Scapa on Orkney. A well-balanced malt with smoky, malty, heathery, notes, sherry and some sweetness. Rich heather honey and malty sweet with touches of peat. Long and distinguished.
Why this whisky? With a history dating back to the 18th century, not only is Highland Park one of the older members of the Scottish distillery collective, but it’s also set on one the most awe-inspiring islands. Highland Park is the only distillery to use the Orkney heathered peat which can be tasted in every sip. This whisky is a journey for the senses, whisking you off to Orkney from the comfort of your own home.
An award-winning whisky, Highland Park 12 was the first single malt to be released for Highland Park and has been a stalwart of Highland Park Distillery ever since.
Pair with: Creamy Brie or Chicken served with a Highland Park infused mushroom sauce
Islay
Try: Kilchoman Machir Bay, Islay Single Malt Whisky, 46% vol
Tasting note: Matured in both Bourbon and Sherry casks, this single malt has a delicious nose combining vanilla, orchard fruit, sweet peat and a brine maritime edge. It’s complemented by a palate of ripe fruit, peat smoke and a malty richness.
Why this whisky? Named after Islay’s stunning beach, Machir Bay is Kilchoman’s signature single malt and was created to reflect the awe-inspiring coastal landscape. Founded in 2005, a stand-out feature of Kilchoman has been their passion to grow a large proportion of barley themselves with the grown barley malted, distilled, matured and bottled at the distillery.
Tanners has worked with Kilchoman directly since it began. There are pictures in our archive of when Kilchoman was being built!
Pair with: Smoked mackerel pâté
Lowlands
Try: Lochlea Our Barley, Lowland Single Malt Whisky, 46% vol
Tasting note: A sweet, cooked fruit nose with notes of grass and citrus. The palate is rich and mouth-coating with a cereal note, pepper and nuts before a long finish with beeswax and orange.
Why this whisky? An independent, family-owned distillery, Lochlea may be a relative newcomer to the Whisky scene, having launched in 2022, but the farm estate has a legendary status. In true Burns Night fashion, Lochlea whisky is probably the most fitting to enjoy given the estate was once home to Robert Burns himself.
Created using a combination of first-fill Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) casks, Lochlea’s ‘Our Barley’ is an award-winning single malt which results in a mouth-watering mix of aromas and flavours including breakfast marmalade, crushed macadamia nuts, cream soda and beeswax.
Pair with: Walnut and date sponge served with a butterscotch custard.
Scotland
