6 great whiskies to enjoy while you watch the Eurovision Song Contest

This Saturday heralds the return of everyone's favourite international singing competition, the Eurovision Song Contest, to celebrate here are six great whiskies to enjoy while you watch Europe crown its winner.

Published 12th May 2016
Updated 21 st Sep 2023

From Terry Wogan's hilarious put downs to Britain's dismal performances, the Eurovision Song Contest is generally enthralling viewing.

From Finnish cosplay metal madness with Lordi's win in 2006 to bearded Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst's inspiring victory in 2014, there really are no shortage of shocks and surprises when it comes to this European eccentricity.

This year's Eurovision Song Contest will take place in the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden and to celebrate, here are six great whiskies to enjoy along with the show:

Mackmyra Brukswhisky - Sweden

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To honour the event being held in Stockholm, where better to start than with Sweden's most prominent single malt - Mackmyra.

Founded in 1999, the distillery has gone from strength to strength, making its mark on the global stage and appearing regularly at whisky shows around the world.

Not only that, their connection to music doesn't just stop with being based in the host country, the distillery also collaborated with Lemmy (RIP) and co. to create Motörhead whisky in honour of the band, how cool is that?

Brukswhisky is quite a light easy-going Swedish whisky matured primarily in first fill bourbon barrels with big notes of vanilla and custard.

Where to buy: Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange (approx. £40)

 West Cork 10-year-old single malt - Ireland

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From Scandinavia to Ireland and the home of everybody's favourite Eurovision host Terry Wogan.

Born in aptly named Limerick, Mr Wogan's home town sadly no longer has an active distillery (though at one point it had five or six) so it's just a short hop, skip and a jump away to West Cork distillery and their excellent single malt whiskey.

This 10-year-old single malt whiskey is matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, and has notes of chocolate, vanilla and a warming subtle spice, delightfully smooth.

Where to buy: Master of Malt, (approx. £35)

Teerenpeli 10-year-old single malt - Finland

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Back to Scandinavia again, this time Finland and the delightfully named Teerenpeli (seriously we never get tired of saying it). Established in 2002, this wonderful little distillery has quietly been producing some cracking whiskies and deserves a little limelight.

The first Finnish 10-year-old whisky was launched in 2015, with a complex, oily character and a decent hit of flavour. It has an 80/20 ratio of bourbon and sherry that gives it a delightfully fruity flavour.

Where to buy: Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange (approx. £75)

Armorik double maturation Breton single malt - France

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Not only is France is producing some great whisky, but it is also one of the most successful Eurovision competitors since the competition began with no less than five wins. With its continuous status of being one of the biggest importers of Scotch whisky in the world and the wonderful wines and spirits they already produce, it comes as no surprise that they have turned their hand to whisky production.

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This whisky from Warenghem Distillery in Breton is perhaps one of the best examples, though still relatively young, it offers a nice level of complexity due to its double maturation and deep flavour.

 Where to buy: The Good Spirits Co. (approx. £45)

Lark single cask - Australia

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Despite Australia's surprise entry into the Eurovision competition last year, the country's whiskies have been no strangers to global competitions and have held their own on more than a few occasions.

It would have been obvious to choose Sullivan's Cove here, but for me the true star of the Australian whisky scene is another distillery in Tasmania - Lark.

Their cask strength whisky invokes the spirit of a classic Highland malt with light notes of peat clashing and harmonising with delicious fruit notes.

Be careful though, it's dangerously drinkable and at 58% abv it can catch up with you quite quickly!

Where to buy: Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange (approx. £90)

Auchentoshan Three Wood - Scotland

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Ok, so technically Scotland doesn't have its own entry and let's be honest, judging by years gone by we aren't holding out much hope for our British entry. Thankfully though we now have a surrogate for the competition in Russia's Sergey Lazarev.

Sergey's entry was written by veteran Glaswegian folk singer John Ballard meaning the Russian will owe a lot to Scotland if he does eventually win.

To celebrate this most tenuous of links we recommend Auchentoshan, which is based just down the road from John's home town of Drumchapel in Dalmuir.

The Three Wood is our obvious choice - triple distilled for extra smoothness and punchy in its fruityness, it really is a great wee dram.

Where to buy: Master of Malt, Whisky Exchange (approx. £45)

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Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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