Everyone knows haggis is synonymous with the Scots, but fewer could actually pinpoint what is and why it it’s a cultural icon. Well, one of the reasons is poet Robert Burns. He penned the poem Address To A Haggis, and five years after his death in 1801, his friends gathered and served haggis in his memory. Since then, it’s become quite the annual event.
Haggis itself is a crumbly sausage pudding with rich, dense, warming peppery flavour. Recipes vary, but generally sheep’s pluck (heart, lungs, and liver – nothing goes to waste), oatmeal, onion, suet, spiced and salt combine. Traditionally, the casing was made from animal stomach but that’s rarer these days. On the side, you’ll often find buttery mash, swede, turnips, and gravy, so that all needs to be considered for the pairing.
Any self-respecting Scot will pretty much always choose to pair whisky with haggis, as we’ll go into below. However, there are a few alternative routes to go down!
Whisky
Like haggis, Burns put his love for whisky to ink with the poem Scotch Drink. As a celebration of a famous Scot and an iconic Scottish dish, Scotch has to come along for the ride too. It’s not just traditional though, because it actually marries haggis fantastically well.
You can either pick a Scotch that contrasts the dish, or one that overlaps. We have a whole ‘Best Whisky for Burns Night’ guide here, but generally look for something a little sweet and spicy, with pepper, malt, and a little smoke – this will bring out the best in haggis. As long as you don’t go for anything too extreme in any direction, the Scotch should hold up against the dish and compliment it.
Shiraz
Red tends to match the spice and richness of haggis, and big jammy reds like Australian Shiraz work a treat. Try and find a bottle without high tannins so it doesn’t compete too much, enough acidity to cut through all that richness, and fruity sweetness to contrast with the peppery spice.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £12.99
Rhône Syrah
Fruity, spice-laden Rhône Syrah, perhaps with a little Grenache, also goes well with haggis. We’re after bright juicy fruits, pepper, soft tannins, and a good crunch of acidity, which should all cut through, contrast, and compliment your feast in the right areas. The Grenache will bring some ripe sweetness to offset the savoury, richness, so something like this bottle is top notch.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £10.25
Viognier
To provide something for everyone, a full and firm Viognier can fit the bill. Reds work better with the hearty, gamey flavour of haggis, but a full, firm Viognier will not disappoint. Ripe fruit lightens the peppery herbs in the dish, the viscosity suits the heft, but it doesn’t have the robust weight to crush the flavours either. It knows its place, essentially, offering a little support and a little something different.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £7.99
If you find a whisky that you love, and one doesn’t dominate haggis, then you will really ‘get’ why the combination is so magical, and whilst fully embracing the tradition. Take a look at our guide of the best options no matter your budget here. At the end of the day though, as always, drink whatever you like! Enjoy!