TOASTING THE BARD

Whether you have an invitation to a formal traditional Burns Supper or are planning a simple affair at home with haggis neeps and tatties, choose from the following single malts for a fine dram to toast our national bard on his birthday.

Lauded “the greatest all rounder in the world of malt whisky” by the late drinks writer Michael Jackson, Highland Park 12 year old single malt, boasts a rich full flavour with hints of honey and peat with a soft, long rounded finish. This award winning Orcadian malt is the perfect tipple to serve alongside some haggis. (RRP £28.74, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Co-op, Somerfield and Oddbins or online at www.highlandpark.co.uk).

Balanced with oak and fruit flavours with hints of heather honey, the soft and malty The Macallan Fine Oak 10 Years Old makes an ideal introduction to the range. The award winning Fine Oak range was heralded to be “by far the best range of non-vintage whiskies to be launched by any one distillery for possibly the last decade.” (RRP £27.75, available at multiple retailers including Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Oddbins or online at www.themacallan.com).

Laden with notes of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice, The Glenrothes Select Reserve typifies the Speyside distillery house style.  A vatting of casks distilled in different years, Select Reserve is presented in the iconic Glenrothes bottle and is the very essence of The Glenrothes range (RRP £33.45, available at Sainsbury’s, Oddbins, House of Fraser, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Wine Rack, specialist whisky retailers or online at www.theglenrothes.com)