THIRSTY WORK

Sam Wylie-Harris selects some of the best blends Scotland has to offer to celebrate Burns Night on January 25.

■ ■Highland Black Scotch Whisky, 70cl, £12.99, Aldi. Instantly appealing, this is a smooth, deliciously fruity expression with a slightly honeyed sweetness, some citrusy, spicy notes and a hint of vanilla that would be a perfect match with Scottish langoustine or scallops to complement their sweet, delicate flavours.

■ ■Glenfairn Islay Single Malt Whisky, 70cl, currently reduced to £18 from £20 until Jan 21, Tesco. Islay whiskies are famous for their smoky, peaty style, and this rich and pungent single malt has an enticing smoky character, with seaweed interplaying with hints of tar and bonfire smoke, and a broad, fruity palate with notes of allspice, dark chocolate and black toffee on the smoky finish.

■ ■Singleton Malt Master Selection, 70cl, £25, Waitrose. If the thought of a wee dram laced with dense, peaty smoke makes you want to run to the hills, don’t despair. There are plenty of mellow malts to explore too, such as the award-winning Speyside Singleton. The makers have created a series of whisky cocktails, for sophisticated partyplanners (and whisky noses) who want an alternative to serving whisky neat. A light and fruity crowd-pleaser with hints of honey, fresh pear and vanilla undertones, simply add Fever Tree Light Ginger Ale and garnish with a dehydrated orange slice and freshly grated nutmeg.

■ ■Tomatin Legacy Bourbon & Virgin Oak Highland Single Malt, 70cl, £26.85, The Whisky Exchange. Light and delicate, smooth and silky, this glorious expression is aged in a combination of virgin and bourbon oak casks, and a great choice if you want to hold the haggis and serve a Scottish tapas menu of bite-size salmon fish cakes and Scotch eggs. An aperitif style malt, it has enticing notes of vanilla, marshmallow, pineapple and lemon with hints of apple and sponge cake on the palate.

■ ■The Glenrothes 10 Year Old – Soleo Collection, 70cl, £36.46, Master of Malt. A sherry bomb of a whisky: Vanilla custard, shortbread biscuit, hints of lemon peel and a rich layer of sherry flavours define this entry level expression from the new Soleo Collection, which features six sherry matured single malts. Glenrothes bottlings are usually vintage whiskies, but this new line is aimed at the modern drinker who wants a flavour map that’s easy to navigate and does what it says on the tin.