Burns Night is the perfect chance to introduce yourself to a wee dram.

We are talking, of course, about whisky - Scotland's greatest export and one of the best drinks in the world.

Scotch whisky comes in many variations, from blended to single malt, smoky or floral, cheap and very expensive. For many who want to try drinking whisky it can be a minefield but we aim to help you out.

General advice for drinking whisky is to add a drop of water to bring out the flavour, but no more. However, the joy of whisky is that is can be enjoyed by everybody, so do not feel guilty if you prefer it with a splash or water or even some ice - although this can dilute the flavours.

For those who do not want melting ice in their dram you can always cool it with some whisky rocks.

We stuck to whiskies you can buy for an affordable price and are perfect for newcomers to the drink. That means we will not be suggesting the acquired smoky, almost medicinal taste of Laphroig here.

Haig Club Clubman

 

Ok, I'll admit that I was particularly suspicious of Haig Club Clubman when it launched. The perfume-like blue bottle and celebrity endorsement of David Beckham is far away from the norms of proper Scotch whisky.

However, the single grain Scotch whisky is surprisingly good. It does not feel like a single malt whisky and should not be compared as such but it is smooth and creamy and easy to drink.

Either on its own or with a mixer, Haig Club is a light, newbie-friendly whisky that won't get the die-hard whisky drinkers excited but will provide a refreshing taste for Burns Night.

It's also cheap at around £16 for a bottle on Amazon.

Talisker 10-year

 

Talisker is one of the UK's most popular whiskies. Available on supermarket shelves and in pubs and bars, chances are if you are a whisky enthusiast you have tried Talisker at some point.

I usually name Talisker as the whisky to try if you are new to Scotch. Distilled on the beautiful Isle of Skye, Talisker is a peated whisky - that means it will have a distinctive smoky taste.

Talisker has hints of smoke but is not as intense as the likes of Laphroig or Lagavulin. The flavours are designed to give you a sense of a wave-lashed coast - and it doesn't get more Scottish than that.

The cheapest we found was £31.20 on Amazon.

Highland Park 12-year

 

Another whisky that is readily available in supermarkets and pubs, this is a popular beginner's choice because of the beautiful Viking-inspired bottle.

Highland Park is even less smoky than a Talisker but is seeter, with a honey and fruity taste.

A sweet, light whisky capable of convincing most beginners to explore the world of Scotch, Highland Park is also affordable.

The cheapest we found was at Tesco where a bottle has been reduced from £34 to £25.

Glen Marnoch

Aldi's Glen Marnoch Speyside whisky

 

If you are after a sweet, creamy whisky with plenty of flavour and a bargain price tag you need to head to Aldi.

The budget supermarket sells Glen Marnoch whisky, a Speyside single malt that was once named one of the best in the world at the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters awards.

At £18 you cannot go wrong with the sweet single malt. It is the perfect whisky for beginners on a budget.

You can get it at Aldi for £18.

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