What is an Independent Whisky Bottler?
An independent whisky bottler, like A. D. Rattray, is (usually) a company who do not own a distillery. They buy individual casks of whisky from distilleries across Scotland and bottle them under their own name.
There are over 150 distilleries in Scotland all producing their own unique style of single malt or single grain whisky. Many you will not have heard of as their whisky is mainly used in blends, such as Bell’s, Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal. Independent bottlers therefore offer the chance to try whisky from a distillery you haven’t heard of, that is different from those released by the distillery itself or has been matured in an unusual cask type.
At A. D. Rattray we have thousands of casks of whisky from different distilleries maturing in our warehouses. Every individual cask of whisky matures differently, developing its own unique character and flavour. When we judge a cask is ready, we simply pour the whisky from the cask into a bottle via a rough filter - to remove any particles of wood from the cask. We bottle at full cask strength (no water is added) and there is a limited number of bottles produced from a cask.
We began bottling our single casks of whisky under the name ‘Cask Collection’ back in 2004 and we have recently released our 75th Cask Collection. Our latest curation of whiskies (below) showcases the diversity in styles and flavours that are waiting to be discovered in single cask whiskies.
Benriach 2014 #102
1st Fill Bourbon Barrel / 57.2% vol.
Benriach distillery is known for experimenting with eclectic cask types however this 1st fill bourbon barrel unveils the heart of their spirit’s character. An unexpected raspberry aroma and flavours of creamy coconut and sweet fried banana transport you to a vibrant summer carnival.
Finglassie 2018 #638
1st Fill Rioja Barrel / 60.6% vol.
Inchdairnie distillery is located in Fife and began distillation in December 2015. This is a heavily peated version of their spirit which is known as Finglassie. Full maturation in a 1st fill Rioja wine barrel counters the salty and medicinal elements of the spirit, that is very reminiscent of Laphroaig.
Glen Spey 2009 #804617
Bourbon Hogshead finished in 1st Fill Cognac Barrique / 55.4% vol.
Whisky from Glen Spey mostly goes into Diageo’s J&B blend, so here’s the chance to try something different. This bourbon hogshead has finished its maturation time in a French Limousin oak barrique, that previously held Cognac. Layers of fruit flavour and texture are built upon the light, grassy spirit character.
Macduff 2009 #701269
Bourbon Barrel finished in 1st Fill PX Sherry Barrique / 52.5% vol.
Prepare yourself for pure extravagance with this whisky from the Macduff distillery located on the northeast coast of the Highlands. This bourbon barrel has finished its maturation time in a 1st fill Pedro Ximénez sherry barrique creating a rich decadent sweetness enlivened with hints of earthy, herbal notes.
Mortlach 2014 #205
Bourbon Hogshead / 60.8% vol.
Mortlach is an iconic distillery in Speyside which we affectionally call “The Beast of Dufftown’ due to the robust, meaty character of its whisky. This wonderful refill bourbon cask offers a glimpse into the ‘belly of the beast’ with rugged smoke, mineral and umami flavours.
Click here to find out more about our Cask Collection release of single cask, cask strength bottlings.