BURNS Night meets Veganuary and ToM is on the case. The first reassurance for plant-based Rabbie revellers is that whisky is 100 per cent vegan. And they can still have a good time while disregarding the Scottish bard’s Selkirk Grace (traditionally declaimed at the start of the Burns Supper each January 25):
‘Some hae meat and canna eat; And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat and we can eat; And sae the Lord be thankit.’
Which brings us to Vegan Haggis. We’ve been assiduous in our espousal of a flexitarian month (check out our guide) but this, we must admit, is the ultimate test. Macsween of Edinburgh are brand leaders in the field of stuffing sheep’s stomachs with liver, heart and lungs, beef fat, oats and spice. Best washed down with a wee dram or three.
But would their veggie version (suitable for vegans, full of pulses and nuts) cut the mustard? We picked up a mini-version at On The Eighth Day on Oxford Road along with a few cans of Marble ales, which are all vegan s well as delicious. They could act as chasers for our chosen single malt – the ridiculously affordable and heathery Glen Marnoch Speyside (£17.49) from Aldi.
Traditional haggis accompaniments also fit the bill – neeps and tatties (turnip and mashed potato, but we accompanied our veggie haggis with tofu and jackfruit in a coconut broth. Not quite the auld alliance, but it worked.
As for that haggis? Well, it was basically a nut roast boiled, so without the savoury char. Would we swap it for the ‘reel Macsween’. We wouldn’t have the heart to (sic).
Dram Busters for Burns Night?
The Whisky Lounge have sold out their Burns Night tasting at the Briton’s Protection on Friday 26th. Still this atmospheric pub the Bridgewater Hall boasts a collection of more than 300 brands, so drop in any time to organise your own tour of the shelves!
Chorlton newcomers Cask and Kiln at 478 Wilbraham Road specialise in whisky and on the night are holding an informal tasting from 7pm on the 25th in collaboration with Chorlton Whisky, who are bringing along four special drams. Haggis, Neeps and tatties are included in the £15 ticket price. To book ring 0161 282 6077.
Other bars with fine whisky collections include the NQ’s Whiskey Jar, naturally, and the Gaslamp. St Ann’s Square is our go-to whisky galore spot for purchasing bottles to take home. Browse the spirited collections at The Whisky Shop at 3 Exchange Street or Aston’s of Manchester in the Royal Exchange Arcade. Both sell online, too.
Several restaurants are holding Burns themed suppers on the 25th. We’d look no further than ToM faves Beastro at Spinningfields Leftbank. For £45 a head (book here or ring 0161 327 0265) you get a (definitely not vegan) Scottish themed feast, featuring Scotch broth, haggis, neeps and tatties, a venison ‘Scotch’ quails egg, a venison tasting, and cranachan – a kind of whisky and raspberry trifle. Plus all kinds of drinks treats, including whisky sours.
Finally, if you aren’t nursing a hangover, on Friday, January 26, kicking off at 7pm, Hanging Ditch wine merchants, next to the Cathedral, are hosting a very special tasting – the Art of Whisky by Compass Box. This showcases the talents of these extraordinary London-based top end whisky blenders. Tickets are £25 plus booking fee and include nibbles. Get them here.