By Genevieve Jacot-Guillarmod
Rating: B-
(Credit: Genevieve Jacot-Guillarmod)
I first tasted Arran’s Robert Burns Single Malt last year on the 25th of January – Burns Night itself. It was especially purchased for the occasion.
Burns Night is celebrated annually on the anniversary of Robert Burns’s birthday. The tradition began in 1801 when nine of Burns’s close friends gathered together to remember and celebrate him after he had passed away. The first ever Burns Night was actually held on the anniversary of his death, rather than his birthday, but this was modified in the years that followed. Over the past two centuries, traditions have been added and amended. As a result, there are a number of ways to celebrate Burns Night, but the essential sentiment behind them is to pay tribute to the life and works of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet.
Typical celebrations involve the eating of traditional Scottish food (think haggis, neeps and tatties), alongside readings of Burns’s poetry. Most notable, perhaps, would be his famous poem, “Address to a Haggis”, ideally recited before eating some haggis. Whisky, of course, also plays a central role. For those particularly interested in all things whisky, Burns’s poem, “John Barleycorn”, would be worth a read. This adaptation of a traditional British folk song by Burns tells the story of barley’s journey from grain to spirit, with the titular character, John Barleycorn, appearing as the personification of barley.
Burns remains widely influential today. He wrote his first poem at the age of fifteen, and in his short life (he died at the age of 37) he wrote over 500 poems and songs. Even those who think they are unfamiliar with his work likely know “Auld Lang Syne”. References to Burns also appear in literature ranging from J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye to John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, and Bob Dylan has cited Burns as one of the greatest influences on his songwriting. Today Burns Night is celebrated all over the world, not just in Scotland.
Robert Burns Single Malt is named in the poet’s honor, and is even officially endorsed by the World Burns Federation. Arran holds the right to use Burns’s name, image, and signature on the label by virtue of its geographic proximity to Burns’s birthplace in Alloway, Ayrshire. Even though Alloway is on the Scottish mainland, and Arran is an island, it is widely regarded as the closest Scotch whisky distillery to Burns’s home, and it is said Burns would have been able to see the Isle of Arran from Alloway (weather permitting). While newer distilleries such as Lochlea, located on the farm where Burns once lived and worked, can now also lay a strong historical claim to the poet, Arran’s Robert Burns Single Malt remains uniquely endorsed by the World Burns Federation.
This is a no-age-statement release that’s naturally colored and bottled at 43% ABV. It’s matured primarily in ex-bourbon casks, with a smaller proportion of ex-sherry casks.
The Scotch
The whisky has a rich, auburn color. The nose is quite fresh and fruity, with some apples and pears, and a hint of citrus. Honey and vanilla follow, with a slight digestive biscuit note emerging. There’s a bit of dryness lurking behind a great deal of aromatic and spicy sweetness.
On the palate there are plenty of ripe orchard fruits, some apples and strawberries. Some quite distinct, creamy coconut notes appear that I found quite hard to get beyond. The texture is fairly oily. There is a lingering taste of vanilla and some oak spiciness, then quite a dry finish to this whisky. I discovered the emptied glass had a leathery, almost meaty, aroma to it.
I approached this whisky with modest expectations, as the use of Robert Burns’s name as a marketing tool made me a little dubious. While the Robert Burns Single Malt is unlikely to become a staple bottle for more serious whisky enthusiasts, it proved to be more enjoyable than anticipated. It doesn’t push boundaries or deliver particularly exciting flavors, but its profile is pleasant and approachable. As a whisky chosen specifically to mark Burns Night, I think it’d certainly add a nice touch to the celebrations!
The Price
I found this whisky priced at around £35.
