6 of the best whiskies for bonfire night - including fruity island dram
The nights are drawing in, and there’s a scent of woodsmoke in the air. With bonfire night taking place this week, Rosalind Erskine looks at a range of peated and non peated whiskies (and a liqueur) to warm up with
As the days are getting much colder, the smell of woodsmoke starts to linger longer in the air; a sure sign of late autumn and winter. Soon that scent of woodsmoke will be punctuated with bangs, pops and crackles as bonfire night takes place across Scotland. It’s an ideal time to warm up with a dram or whisky cocktail; but these don’t all need to be heavily peated.
This time of the year is a reminder to slow down and embrace the earlier sunsets and the velvety night skies. For me, it’s also the best time for whisky - for warmth but also to share with friends and family, and reflect on the season ahead.
Here are some of my top picks for bonfire night.
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Isle of Harris Whisky - The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured
A warming dram perfect for crisp evenings, The Hearach Oloroso Cask Matured is the second whisky expression from Isle of Harris Distillery. The nose opens with cinnamon, orange peel and cloves, before developing into wood smoke and walnut shells on the palate. Burnt orange and warming spice add depth, making this a bold and atmospheric pour to enjoy.
Berry Bros. & Rudd - The King’s Ginger liqueur
The King’s Ginger brings a hit of ginger balanced by gentle sweetness and a touch of lemon citrus. First formulated by Berry Bros. & Rudd in 1903 for His Majesty King Edward VII, it’s equally enjoyable sipped neat, mixed into a warming cocktail or used to add a fiery twist to a seasonal bake. An ideal companion for bonfire night.
Woven WXC
For something a little different around the bonfire, WXC brings together the worlds of whisky and coffee. A collaboration between Leith-based Woven Whisky and London’s Assembly Coffee, WXC was recently awarded World’s Best Flavoured Whisky at the 2025 World Whisky Awards. The result is a delicate balance where both whisky and coffee shine, with tasting notes of dark chocolate and caramel. Rich, warming and indulgent, it’s an ideal fireside pour.
The GlenAllachie 15 Year Old
Rich, warming and packed with autumnal character, The GlenAllachie 15 Year Old is a spectacular Single Malt Scotch whisky that showcases the distillery’s dedication to sourcing sherry wood of the highest quality.
Aromas of dark cherries, golden syrup and sweet spice lead to toffee, glazed figs and hazelnut, while the palate brings heather honey, orange peel, cocoa and ginger. A rich finish of caramelised brown sugar makes this a luxurious dram to savour.
Torabhaig Sound of Sleat
Bottled at a robust 60.2% ABV, this release takes the much-loved Torabhaig Sound of Sleat whisky and turns up the intensity - think bonfire embers, sea spray, citrus brightness and warming spice. It’s a whisky that feels made for autumn evenings: big, bold, smoky and coastal.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie
This 5 year old whisky from Islay’s Ardbeg packs a smoky punch that’s ideal for bonfire night drams or cocktails. The cask makeup is a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, giving sweetness and vanilla notes as well as citrus fruits and punchy peaty smoke.
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