Start making that Haggis and stock up with some quality whiskies, because Burns Night is just around the corner. On Saturday 25th January, Scots up and down the British Isles will be reciting the poetry of the great Robert Burns, and, let’s be honest, getting more than a bit lively in the process.
To that end, here are our recommendations both for things to do, and some top tipples to keep both your taste buds and the evening happy.
Burns supper at The White Horse
Fulham-based pub The White Horse is hosting a five course Burns supper on the 25th, with proceedings commencing at 7pm. Dishes include haggispop with raspberry and oatmeal, Highland beef wellington with haggis duxelles, neeps and potato gratin and a whisky chocolate pot with heather honeycomb.
The package includes beer matches from Brewmeister, as well as a chance to meet the brewer.
Michelin starred six-course tasting menu at Seven Park Place
From 20th – 26th January, Michelin-starred restaurant Seven Park Place will be hosting an exclusive six-course tasting menu including Head Chef’s William Drabble’s signature dish, ravioli of haggis. In collaboration with Slow Food UK’s Chef Alliance and Highland Park Whisky, diners can tuck into world-class seasonal Scottish classics such as Uig Lodge smoked haddock soup with whisky and saddle of Scottish highland venison with beetroot. The cost is £72 per person or £126 with paired wines, including a glass of Highland Park 18-year-old single malt whisky to round off the meal.
Enjoy a haggis pasty at the West Cornwall Pasty Company
West Cornwall Pasty Co. has teamed up with Macsween, the pioneers of Scotland’s national dish, to create a Celtic-inspired hot pastry pocket packed full of award-winning haggis, and a mix of traditional’neeps & tatties’. The cost is £3.90 or £4.15, depending on size. Even better, come into the store wearing a kilt on Saturday 25th, and the pasty will be on the house.
The Art of Blending and a three course dinner at The Duke’s Head
Putney riverside pub The Duke’s Head has two Scottish-themed events coming up. The first is Chivas Regal’s The Art of Blending event, on Friday 24th. We previously attended an Art of Blending event with Chivas and had a great time learning about, and indeed making, our own blended whisky. The second event is a three course dinner on Burns night itself, paired with Scottish drinks, and entertainment from a bag pipe player as well as recitations from Robert Burns’s poetry.
Whisky tasting at the Pullman Hotel, St Pancras
On Thursday 23rd, whisky expert Alex Welstand will be hosting a tasting evening to guide guests through the various whisky making regions of Scotland, from Lowland and Highland to Speyside and Islay. A delicious range of canapés featuring traditional Scottish ingredients such as smoked salmon and haggis will accompany the whisky. Proceedings kick off at 6pm and tickets are priced at £45 per person.
To make a booking please call Alex on: T 020 7666 9080 www.pullmanhotels.com
Four course burns supper at The Draft House
Tower Bridge-based pub The Draft House are hosting their Burns supper a little earlier, on 23rd January, with a four course supper. Dishes include smoked Scottish salmon with potato wafer and watercress and The Draft House haggis with neeps and tatties, plus gravy made with Auchentoshan’s ‘Three Wood’ single malt. Whisky and beer pairings are included in the £30 price.
Four course meal at Geronimo Inns
Continuing with the four course meal idea are Geronimo Inns, who are hosting their on Saturday 25th. Traditional dishes served include cullen skink, haggis and cranachan. To toast Scotland’s favourite son, Geronimo Inns will be offering customers Chivas whiskies, accompanied alongside a tasting board of soft cheese’washed’ in Chivas Regal whiskey for dessert.
Top Burns Night tipples
Chivas 18 includes over 20 of Scotland’s rarest single malt whiskies, aptly described by American whisky writer, Paul Pacult as,’Strength and elegance balanced in harmony…. blended Scotch whisky does not get better than this’. Why not put a dram into your Burns Night cocktails this year?
The Glenlivet Nàdurra is the perfect way to celebrate Burns Night 2014. It’s inspiration comes from the wild and remote location of the Livet Valley. The 16 year old single malt is matured in first-fill ex-bourbon casks and bottled at full strength. The whisky reflects the spirit of the glen, unfettered and unspoilt.
The Diamond Tribute is brand new in Royal Salute’s range of luxury scotch whiskies. It takes its name from the most precious of gems and is in-keeping with the Royal Salute tradition of expertly blending only the most exquisite whiskies. Great to share with the most honoured of guests this Burns Night.