Leave the clichés and AI at home…
Burns Night
2026
Our annual poetry competition returns! Win big prizes while honouring the Scottish Bard.
Celebrate Burns Night with whisky & words
Burns Night, held every year on January 25th, is the cultural high point of the Scotch whisky calendar. It is the one night where poetry is not only encouraged but expected.
To mark Burns Night 2026, we are inviting our community to step into Burns’ boots and put pen to paper. Our annual poetry competition returns, calling for original verses that are bold, witty, heartfelt or gloriously unpolished.
Whether you channel Burns himself, write something that makes us laugh, or craft a few lines that demand an immediate dram, this is your chance to be part of the celebration rather than just observe it.
The best entries will be rewarded with meaningful whisky prizes, judged by a team who deeply care about creativity and originality.
If Burns Night is about raising a glass and raising a voice, this is where the two meet.
Top whisky for Burns Night 2026
We have selected three whiskies that feel right at home on Burns Night. These are drams with character, confidence and enough depth to stand up to a second helping of haggis. Whether you prefer Highland richness, sherried indulgence or bright island charm, these are whiskies Burns himself would not have ignored.
More drams for the Bard
Because one whisky is never enough on Burns Night
The burns night
Tasting Sets
Honour the Bard with six exceptional drams worthy of a fine toast. Whether shared with friends or enjoyed in quiet reflection, each sip celebrates tradition, poetry, and the spirit of Scotland. Slàinte mhath!
Dalmore 12 Year Old
Caol Ila Moch
Kingsbarns 5 Year Old
Craigellachie 13 Year old
Benriach The Original Ten
Aberfeldy 12 Year Old
Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask Matured
Balblair 15 Year Old
Dalmore Cigar Malt
Glenallachie 12 Year Old 2012 (cask 2083) - Bourbon Cask
Strathisla 15 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 16 Year Old
Whisky Worth Writing About
Find more exceptional whiskies right here.
The burns night
Poetry Competition
Submit your poem (during the entry period) via the form on the competition page. Ensure your poem meets the criteria outlined below.
To protect the integrity of the competition and encourage genuine creativity, strict rules will apply.
• No AI allowed
Poems written by AI will not be accepted. Clear warnings will appear on the entry page.
• 1,500 characters maximum
Each poem must not exceed 1,500 characters.
• Restricted terms
Certain phrases will be banned due to repeated AI usage in previous years.
Restricted terms include:
– amber hues
– in amber depths
– titles beginning with an ode to
Entry period: 12/01/2026 – 25/01/2026
Winners contacted: 09/02/2026
There will be 5 winners and 5 prizes.
Each winner will receive a bundle of six bottles of whisky!
- Best Shortie – under 50 words
- Best Patter – made us laugh the most
- Burns Would Say Excellent – the poem we think Burns himself would love
- Best Dram Raiser – made us want whisky immediately
- The Best of the Best – overall winner
