LAST week saw us celebrating International Whisk(e)y Day, and with that in mind it would be remiss of me to not mention our nation’s favourite tipple. Whisky is very food-friendly, and you can usually find a good match for every course. Shirley’s crab tart would work well with a salty coastal dram such as Old Pulteney or a light island delight like Bruichladdich.

Old Pulteney 12-year-old (readily available online for about £33, and sometimes on offer in supermarkets for around £24). This is a great wee dram from Scotland’s northernmost mainland distillery. Based in Wick, Old Pulteney is affectionately known as the Manzanilla of the North, a reference to the salty, tangy fortified wine made in Sanlucar de Barrameda. The rock salt notes in the glass can also be found in crab and oysters, making this the perfect whisky to have with seafood.

Bruichladdich The Laddie 10-year-old Second Limited Edition (Inverarity One to One, £53.99). This is the first release from the distillery since Adam Hannett took over the reins following Jim McEwan’s retirement. McEwan, a legend in the industry, was always going to be a tough act to follow. However, if this dram is anything to go by, we’re in safe hands with Hannett. It’s bottled at 50% ABV (alcohol by volume) but the balance is such that it doesn’t come across in a spirity way on the palate. It’s also unpeated, which is unusual for Islay but it makes it a great introduction to the island if you don’t like too many phenolic notes in your glass.

Now, we can’t just focus solely on Scotland for International Whisk(e)y Day, so let’s go over the water to Ireland and the Pogues Irish Whiskey (Inverarity One to One, £28.49). This blended whiskey from Cork is the official whiskey of the legendary band, and I’ve seldom come across an easier whiskey to drink. It’s a session dram, and an excuse (if one were needed) to unearth The Pogues' Rum, Sodomy And The Lash album from the back of the cupboard.

And, of course, we can’t forget our American cousins. Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky (unusually, the Scottish spelling with no "e") is one of my favourites and is available in Waitrose at £29. It’s the very definition of smooth and mellow, and the bottle looks cool too. This is the one to have in a large, heavy glass over ice while chatting with friends into the wee small hours in front of the fire.

Pete Stewart is Glasgow director of Inverarity One to One, 185a Bath Street, Glasgow inverarity121.com