Don’t have the heart for Haggis? Fear not, there’s plenty of whisky-related mischief to keep you busy on Burns Night.
The Gallery in West Hampstead are setting up to take guests a whisky-based tour of the Lowlands, Highland and Islands of Scotland. At’Whisky 101′ guests will sample the finest Scottish Single Malts, compile their own tasting notes and learn about the history and origin of each distinct whisky with the evening rounded off with a taste of haggis.
The Trading House are also putting on their own whiskey tasting evening, with a choice of three Glenmorangie’s to swill from. During the tasting session guests will be given a selection of carefully matched cheeses to match the whisky. The ticket will be £15 and available from The Trading House.
Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings are hosting an extravagant Burns Night Party. Revellers are encouraged to don their finest tartan attire for a sophisticated evening of whisky cocktails, ceilidh dancing and banqueting in the beautiful Clerkenwell setting. The traditions of Burns Night will be embraced and will complement the sumptuous five course Scottish feast. Why not do a Charlotte York-MacDougal and go for a full tartan dress? But then we all know how that turned out, so maybe not…
Cocktails
With the help from the boys at Cocktail Trading Company, R&B Distillers have created a of Burns Night cocktail to showcase the brand. The playful ginger-infused cocktail ‘Mac Daddy’ will be available to sample at CTC Smithfield for one night only.
B&H Buildings have also created the evocative Smoked Heather Dram. The cocktail is concocted from Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, sweet vermouth, Apple juice and orange zest. Hand-picked Scottish heather is ignited in the glass infusing the flambéed cocktail with the flavours of the Highlands. Served warm, this’ll be sure to keep you toasty.
Salvatore’s, The Playboy Club’s in house bar and restaurant are also getting in the fun with their cocktail offering. The appropriately named Tartan (£13) is served in a Game of Throne style horn filled with a delicate whisky drink. Not just for Highlanders (or Outlanders), the cocktail is a heady mix of Haig Club & Talisker , Drambuie, lemon , heather & lavender soda and dandelion bitters.
Burns Night In
If it’s a little too nippy to venture out for the night why not stay in with a bottle of fine whisky? 
Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the only single malt to be exclusively released in Vintages as opposed to ages have just released their latest Vintage 2005, just in the nick of time for Burns Night. Sparkling gold in colour and full of character, this expression displays the classic Balblair house aromas of green apple, ground spices and honey on the nose with hints of sweet toffee and a deliciously spicy long finish on the palate.
To celebrate Burns Night The Whisky Lounge are releasing a specially curated collection of Scottish whiskies to pair with the traditional Haggis supper, pricted at £25. The collection includes a 12 yo Glenkinchie, 16yo Aberlour, 10yo Ardbeg, as well as Talisker Storm, Auchentoshan Three Wood, and The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. Complete with tasting notes to help unleash the inner whisky aficionado in any consumer, the pack also provides a tasting mat and, of course, the ever-important Haggis Address written by the Bard of Ayrshire himself, Rabbie Burns (Scottish accent not included).
Just in it for the Haggis? Click here to find out where to get the most super Burns Night suppers.