The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has released an extra special bottling in honour of Robert Burns to mark the annual celebration of the life and work of one of Scotland's most famous sons.

The Burns' night bottle, 'John Barleycorn was a hero bold', is named after one of Burns' most famed works, 'John Barleycorn: A Ballad' - his version of an old English folk song.

The 11-year-old single malt, which was matured in a first fill ex-bourbon barrel, has hints of heather, honey and tongue-tingling spices, finishing with heady notes of American oak shavings.

The ballad of John Barleycorn celebrates the process of growing and harvesting barley - one of the key ingredients of whisky - with Burns musing: 'Then let us toast John Barleycorn, each man a glass in hand; and may his great posterity ne'er fail in old Scotland'

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a membership club and 'John Barleycorn was a hero bold' is available exclusively to Society members.

Membership of the Society costs £122 - to join the Society, visit www.smws.co.uk