Dewar's master blender Stephanie Macleod spends most of her Burns Nights hosting scotch whisky tasting events like this one.
Every January 25th, the Scots (and scotch whisky fans around the world) raise a glass to toast the life of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland. The first Burns Night was hosted in Burns’s home in Alloway, South Ayrshire on the fifth anniversary of his death in 1801. Burns Suppers today haven’t changed all that much from those early days—haggis, bagpipe music, and rounds of scotch whisky toasts being the key features. We asked some leading lights in the scotch whisky world how they’ll be spending their Burns Night this year and which drams they’ll likely be sipping.
Rachel Barrie
Rachel Barrie, master blender for BenRiach, GlenDronach, and Glenglassaugh will be spending Burns Night overseas this year, dining in Shanghai on a business trip. But she still plans to toast Robert Burns. Barrie recommends GlenDronach 12 year old as a Burns Night dram, citing its pairability with the night’s classic haggis with neeps and tatties dish. Another favorite Burns Night pour of Barrie’s is Bailie Nicol Jarvie, a dry and fruity blend comprising malts from the Highlands, Speyside, and Islay that’s no longer in production. Barrie will sip Glenglassaugh 12 year old, with its coastal notes pairing well with the Burns poem “On the Seas and Far Away.”
John Glaser
Compass Box founder John Glaser will be celebrating Burns Night at home with his family this year. He’s set to smoke both classic and vegetarian haggis, which he plans to eat outside by the fire. The meal will also include Scottish cheese and sticky toffee pudding. For scotch drinkers who love smoke, Glaser suggests Compass Box Glasgow Blend for its balance of smoke and sherry sweetness that’s reminiscent of old-school scotches. For those who prefer their scotch smokeless, he likes Compass Box Artist Blend. John will be sipping on both expressions, as well as Compass Box Art & Decadence.
Gordon Motion
Highland Park master whisky maker Gordon Motion will also spend Burns Night at home this year for a quiet dinner with his wife—with the traditional haggis with neeps and tatties in whisky sauce, of course. Motion suggests Highland Park 18 year old for Burns Night celebrations. As an avid fan of craft beers, he also recommends trying a bottle of Harviestoun Brewery’s Ola Dubh, a Scottish ale matured in Highland Park casks. Motion himself will be sipping Highland Park 40 year old—one of his personal favorites—and plans to end the evening with an IPA.
Brian Kinsman
On Burns Night, William Grant & Sons master blender Brian Kinsman will spend a quiet night and haggis dinner with his family at home. The following night, however, he’ll gather with his local whisky club for a Burns-themed celebration complete with music, poem recitals, and singing. Kinsman values accessibility when picking an ideal Burns Night pour. He suggests Glenfiddich 15 year old Solera, but recommends Highland Park for those who want more smoke. For his own haggis dinner on January 25th Kinsman will be enjoying Glenfiddich 18 year old.
Gillian Macdonald
Master blender and head of whisky creation Gillian Macdonald works with the eminent Dr. Bill Lumsden on both Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. She’s spending Burns Night at a charity supper in her local community. Macdonald’s whisky suggestions center around pairings with haggis. She recommends both Glenmorangie Lasanta and Balvenie DoubleWood 12 year old. During the supper, she’ll be tasting a flight of Glenmorangie Original, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Ardbeg 10 year old, and Ardbeg Uigeadail. There will also be a choice of two scotch cocktails.
Stephanie Macleod
Stephanie Macleod typically spends Burns Night on the road, but for the first time in many years, the Dewar’s master blender will be home, where she’ll celebrate with her husband, twin daughters, and the family dog. Macleod recommends Dewar’s 12 year old for its cocktail mixability. She plans to toast the evening with Dewar’s Double Double 37 year old or Aberfeldy 25 year old, followed by a Hot Toddy cocktail made with Aberfeldy 12 year old.
Simon Brooking
While not a scotch whisky maker, Simon Brooking is certainly a leading light in scotch whisky as the ambassador for scotch heritage at Beam Suntory, shepherding brands like Laphroaig, Auchentoshan, Ardmore, Bowmore, and Glen Garioch around the world. Brooking says this year’s festivities will be more like Burns Week than Burns Night, as he will be attending five different celebrations from the 25th through the 30th. In the way of drams, he recommends both Laphroaig Cairdeas 2022 and Auchentoshan Three Wood. He personally plans to sip a Laphroaig single cask expression aged in bourbon barrels.
Steven Bremner
Steven Bremner has been Macallan’s whisky maker since 2018, and currently works alongside master whisky maker Kirsteen Campbell. In addition to whisky, Bremner is passionate about trail running, He’s getting ready to run his first marathon in Edinburgh this spring, and so plans to spend most of Burns Night outdoors, enjoying the fresh Scottish air as he gets himself prepared for it. But Bremner recommends Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow and Double Cask 15 year old for celebrating Burns Night, noting that both are versatile enough to be served on the rocks or in a simple cocktail. He plans to conclude his evening with a fireside pour of Harmony Collection Amber Meadow.
