Whisky Focus - Cutty Sark Review - Cutty Sark Review - A Dram For Burns Night

Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky owes its name to Robert Burns, so what more fitting dram could you choose to toast him this Burns Night.

Robert Burns, familiarly known as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet, lyricist and farmer who is to this day is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. Born on 25 January 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, Robert Burns has been commemorated worldwide by enthusiasts since shortly after his death on 21 July 1796. Every year, around the world, on or around his birth date, "Burns Suppers" are held to celebrate his life and genius.

As preparations get underway for Burns Night on 25th January 2026, I thought that I would share with you my review of Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky, a whisky with a story all its own — its name proudly drawn from one of Robert Burns’ most celebrated epic poems, "Tam O’Shanter", and a heritage that makes it an ideal dram for raising a glass to Scotland’s Bard. A blend of grain and mainly Speyside malts, Cutty Sark is light coloured, soft whisky, with elegant overtones of fruitiness with pleasant hints of malt.
 

And how Tam stood, like ane bewitch'd,
And thought his very een enrich'd;
Even Satan glowr'd, and fidg'd fu' fain,
And hotch'd and blew wi' might and main;
Till first ae caper, syne anither,
Tam tint his reason ' thegither,
And roars out, "Weel done, Cutty-sark!"
And in an instant all was dark:
And scarcely had he Maggie rallied,
When out the hellish legion sallied ...

See the original words and a translation of Tam o' Shanter
 

Cutty Sark whisky takes its name from the legendary globe-trotting British tea clipper — famed as the fastest and most daring ship of its era, and a powerful source of inspiration for the whisky’s founders, Berry Bros & Rudd.

The connection to Burns stretches back even further, to 1869, when the clipper’s Scottish builders looked to the works of Robert Burns when naming their new vessel — choosing what is widely regarded as his finest poem, "Tam O’Shanter".

First published in 1791, "Tam O’Shanter" tells the tale of Tam, an Ayrshire farmer who stumbles upon a gathering of witches while riding home one night — among them the captivating Nannie Dee. She is dressed in a revealing ‘cutty sark’ — Scots for a short nightdress or undergarment — prompting Tam to cry out the famous line, ‘Weel done Cutty-Sark’, before the witches give chase. Tam narrowly escapes, but not before Nannie Dee tears the tail from his horse, Meg.

The poem not only inspired the name of the new ship, but also its iconic figurehead: Nannie Dee, clad in her ‘cutty sark’ and clutching Meg’s tail in her outstretched hand. This distinctive figurehead can still be seen today on the Cutty Sark, now a much-loved visitor attraction in London.

Reflecting on the Burns connection ahead of celebrations on 25th January, Janette Deed, Head of Marketing UK for Cutty Sark, said: ‘We are enormously proud of our link to Robert Burns and a poem as globally celebrated as Tam O’Shanter. Most people are aware of our whisky’s connection to the Cutty Sark clipper and an exciting era of ocean shipping and adventure. The historic connection to Burns’ poetry is much less known, but something we want to share and celebrate as Burns Night approaches. The smooth, mellow and refreshing taste of Cutty Sark whisky, which is masterfully blended from the finest single malts and top quality grain whiskies, also makes it the perfect dram for toasts, drams and all kinds of drinks to share with friends on this very special night of the year’.

Cutty Sark Original is bottled at 40% ABV in a 70cl format and is available for £23.95 from Amazon and you will also find the current Cutty Sark whisky range available from specialist online whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

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