Words by Helena Nicklin
Burns Night is upon us once again, but not everyone feels the love of Scotch whisky (crazy, we know!) Here are some drinks with a nod to Scotch whisky without actually being whisky themselves. Intrigued? Read on!
Wine
Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
Here’s the wine drinker’s choice for Burns Night: wine aged in Scotch whisky barrels! The Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel range includes Shiraz and Chardonnay finished in aged Scotch whisky barrels (there’s also a Cabernet Sauvignon finished in Irish whisky barrels. Note that for St Patrick's day!)
These bold, fruity and spicy wines with great texture are matured at first in traditional, oak wine barrels but then are finished - just like whisky can be - in aged whisky barrels to build additional layers of complexity.
Find here: UK Chardonnay £12 // US Shiraz $21.99
Spirits
Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila (ABV: 40%)
Created by founder Michael Ballantyne who was born in Scotland and raised in Texas, Storywood is described as ‘a tequila with the heart of Mexico and the soul of Scotland’.
This 100% Agave Tequila was aged for 14 months in single malt whisky casks from Speyside, Scotland to create a unique, sipping Tequila that’s great on the rocks or with simple mixers. Think oak, nuts and treacle. It also makes an epic Old Fashioned. Personally, I’d call that a New Fashioned...
ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £53.20
No & Low
Crossip ‘Dandy Smoke’
This non- alcoholic ‘spirit’ packs a smoky, medicinal punch that reminds me of Islay Scotch whisky. Rich and viscous, this is a drink that’s fantastic alone over ice or with simple mixers like cola or ginger ale in highballs. It also makes a great Maple Old Fashioned. Crossip are worth checking out for their good causes too. A great product to support!
Find here: £22
Splash Out!
Havana Club Tributo 2019 (ABV 40%)
This extraordinary and exceptionally rare ‘peated’ rum was created with the help of three generations of Cuban rum masters, where each selected a rare, oak-aged rum base from numerous decades. The fourth release in the ‘Tributo’ range, it has been finished in Scotch whisky casks that used to hold peated whisky. Only 2,500 were made. Get in there! Don’t we all deserve a treat?
Find here: £350
Want to try some ACTUAL Scotch Whiskies? Here are some of our favourites.