Looking for a line-up of whiskies, all of which are linked to the life (and loves!) of Robert Burns? Here are details of five drops, with poems they can be associated to, which went down well at a Burns Night in Inverness last year, as Hamish Malcolm explains.
- Glenlivet ‘Illicit Still’, 12-year-old single malt
Glenlivet, founded in 1824, is undoubtedly one of the most respected and established distilleries, based in the ‘heartland’ of Scotch whisky, Speyside. This limited-edition version, comes in at 48% ABV, which is stronger than the majority of most Glenlivet official bottlings ; harking back to the days of a more rugged style of production. The concept of illicit distilling links us to Robert Burns brief career as an exciseman, when he was employed to crack down on the ‘not so legal’ aspects of whisky distillation and production. This was at something of a turning point in Burns’ life , after he had shelved his plans to emigrate, and was looking to gain a steadier source of income.
See Burns’ poem: An Extemporaneous Effusion to being Appointed to the Excise.
2.Douglas Laing ‘Timorous Beastie’ 25-year-old Blend 46.8% ABV. Limited edition , one of 1600 bottles
A bottle which is clearly a reference to the line from one of Burns most famous poems To a Mouse. While in some sectors ‘blended’ malt whisky can be overlooked in favour of single malt, there is a great range of excellent whiskies to be found in the blended segment ; often representing strong value for money. It is clear from Burns work, that he was very much a ‘man of the people’, and so would spoken up for blends as being the ‘underdogs’ of the whisky market. Douglas Laing have been at the forefront of the independent bottling market since 1948.
See Burns’ poem: To a Mouse.
- Glen Scotia 15-year-old, 48% ABV
Glen Scotia, founded in 1832 is one of three distilleries in Campbeltown – which was once the ‘world capital’ of the whisky world , with more than 30 active distilleries located in one single town. As is often the case in Scottish history, the ‘boom’ was followed by ‘bust’, leaving the once vibrant area with only two distilleries – one short of the number required to still be recognised as a ‘region’ in Scotch whisky. Today sees Campbeltown very much in a period of renaissance, with planning permission for a further three distilleries. Mary Campbell, better known as ‘Highland Mary’, was one of Burns lovers, spent part of her life in Campbeltown, before she died at the age of only 23. They had planned to emigrate to Jamaica together.
See Burns’ poem: The Highland Lassie O, Highland Mary and To Mary in Heaven.
- Glen Wyvis ; single cask, Oloroso Quarter Cask 61.9% Limited edition ,one of 153 bottles
A hefty, sherry-based whisky from one of the Highlands newer distilleries, which started production on St Andrews Day 2017. GlenWyvis is based in Dingwall, close to the location of long shut Ferintosh distillery ; immortalised in Burns poem Scotch Drink. GlenWyvis is unique in being both crowdfunded and also being the world’s first fully community owned distillery.
See Burns’ poem: Scotch Drink.
- Lochlea (exclusive bottling for the Aberdeen Whisky Shop) 60.3%
To finish this ‘Burns themed’ tasting; a lightly peated dram from another one of this century’s distilleries, Lochlea. Lochlea launched their inaugural whisky on Burns Night 2022. Burns father farmed the very land on which the distillery is now located, giving it a very unique link to the Bard.
See Burns’ poem: John Barleycorn, A Ballad.
Hamish Malcolm, known as The Dram Caddy, offers unique whisky experiences in the Scottish Highlands. For more information visit: www.dramcaddy.com
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