Best Robert Burns quotes on whisky

Robert Burns wrote some of the most famous words ever written about whisky. The Scottish poet had a fond appreciation for whisky often reflected in his poetry, as we’ve already covered in our Why Do Whisky Drinkers Celebrate Burns Night article. 

To celebrate Burns Night (which is on Saturday, 25 January), we thought you might enjoy reading some of his best quotes related to whisky. 

Don’t forget to enter our Burns Night Poetry Competition for a chance to win some delicious Scotch whisky. You can also find our recommended Burns Night whiskies for 2025 here and a recipe for a whisky-based cranachan dessert perfect to end supper with. Slàinte mhath!

“Freedom and Whisky gang thegither,
Tak aff your dram!”
– From The Author’s Earnest Cry and Prayer.

In 1786 Burns wrote this rally against the Scotch Distillery Act of 1786, a protectionist act created to benefit London’s gin distillers by hiking duties on whisky exported to England and taxing Scottish still capacity. 

This biting dismissal of the tax is an appeal to the Scottish Parliament to maintain the nation’s autonomy and character, with whisky symbolising both cultural pride and freedom. 

His final lines are the most quoted. By bringing an act of oppression against distillers in the form of tax, to Burns it logically follows that freedom and whisky go together. 

“‘Inspiring bold John Barleycorn [whisky]!
What dangers thou canst make us scorn!
Wi’ tippeny [tuppenny ale], we fear nae evil;
Wi’ usquabae [whisky], we’ll face the devil!’”
– From Tam o’ Shanter.

Tam o’ Shanter” is an epic narrative poem first published in 1791. Originally at 228 lines (Burns later omitted four lines), it’s said to be one of his own favourite poems and is a cornerstone of Scottish literature. 

It tells the story of Tam, a farmer who enjoys drinking and carousing late into the night despite his wife’s warnings. On his way home after a session, he encounters witches and warlocks which prompts a dramatic and humorous escape on horseback. Pathos, adventure, drinking culture, Scotland, supernatural mischief… this one has got it all. 

The above passage is the most quoted, an ode to the power of ‘Dutch courage*’. Burns personifies John Barleycorn (a traditional symbol of whisky and beer derived from grain) as a heroic figure who emboldens drinkers. The playful contrast of the weaker tuppenny ale with the fiery bravery induced by whisky acknowledges the bravado a dram of whisky can imbue in us.

Some fun facts about this poem, the line “Weel done, cutty-sark!” inspired the name of the ship and subsequently the Cutty Sark blended whisky brand. The Iron Maiden’s classic “The Number of the Beast” was also influenced by the poem and Tam o’ Shanter also became the name of a traditional Scottish bonnet hat, often shortened to “Tammie”. 

“O thou, my muse! guid auld Scotch drink! 
Whether thro’ wimplin worms thou jink, 
Or, richly brown, ream owre the brink, 
In glorious faem, 
Inspire me, till I lisp an’ wink, 
To sing thy name!”
– From Scotch Drink.

A muse is a precious thing to a writer. Burns hails whisky as his creative inspiration in Scotch Drink, a poem written in 1785 and dedicated to Scotland’s national beverage. 

Many of us can relate to the transformative effect a glass of whisky can have on us. We’re not talking about intoxication. We’re talking about how one glass can contain generations of culture, history, craft, and story within. What a great whisky can stir within us. We’ll raise a glass to that. 

What’s your favourite Robert Burns quote on whisky? Let us know in the comments below. 

*Another fun fact for you, the term ‘Dutch Courage’ is said to have originated from the nips of genever – which later inspired gin – British soldiers would drink before going into battle against the Dutch in the 17th century.

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