As Scotland prepares to honour its national poet on Burns Night, 25 January, there’s no more fitting dram to raise than Cutty Sark, the iconic blended whisky with a story steeped in Scottish literature, maritime adventure and timeless craftsmanship.
Founded in London in March 1923, Cutty Sark has become one of the world’s most recognisable whiskies – famed for its smooth character, distinctive yellow label and enduring spirit of adventure. Yet behind the bottle lies a name with deep Scottish roots, inspired by one of Robert Burns’ most celebrated works: Tam O’Shanter.
The link to the Bard dates back to 1869, when the Scottish builders of the legendary British tea clipper Cutty Sark turned to Burns’ poetry for inspiration. In Tam O’Shanter, a tale published in 1791, Burns tells of a farmer from Ayrshire who encounters a gathering of witches on his way home from Ayr, among them the beguiling Nannie Dee, whose short undergarment – or “cutty sark” – caught his eye. Tam’s infamous exclamation, “Weel done, Cutty-Sark!”, has echoed through Scottish culture ever since.
The reference didn’t end with the ship’s name. Nannie Dee, wearing her ‘cutty sark’ and clutching the severed tail of Tam’s horse, Meg, became the ship’s figurehead, an emblem of speed, daring and Scottish wit. Today, she still stands proudly aboard the Cutty Sark, now a celebrated visitor attraction in London.
When wine and spirits merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd launched their whisky in the early 1920s, they looked once again to that same spirit of adventure. The name Cutty Sark embodied exploration, excellence and a distinctly British charm – qualities that have carried the brand for over a century.
Speaking ahead of this year’s celebrations, 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 know about our connection to the Cutty Sark clipper and its era of ocean adventure, but the literary link to Burns is something we want to share and celebrate as Burns Night approaches.
“The smooth, mellow and refreshing taste of Cutty Sark makes it the perfect dram for toasts and celebrations on this special night of the year.”
Cutty Sark Original remains a classic choice for both whisky enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Bottled at 40% ABV and available in 70cl from £23.95, it offers a balanced and approachable flavour – ideal for sipping neat, over ice, or as the base of a well-crafted whisky cocktail.
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As Scotland raises a glass this Burns Night, few bottles embody the spirit of the occasion more fittingly than this one – a whisky with poetry, history and adventure in every drop.
