New Scottish Distillery Unveils Its Inaugural Single Malt Whisky

Friday, 09 January 2026 at 15:05

The Cairn Distillery has announced the launch of its very first single malt whisky. Playfully named First Peek, it’s a nod to what’s yet to come.

With The Cairn First Peek 3 Year Old, the distillery is bringing its first own bottling to market. The release is limited to 1,000 bottles and marks a significant moment in the young history of The Cairn Distillery.

A taste of what’s to come

The Cairn First Peek 3YO offers a first tangible glimpse of the style and character the distillery will build on in the years ahead. While it’s already whisky and sold as a single malt, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the distillery’s plans.

In the coming years, progressively older single malts will follow, with this serving as an introductory bottling. It’s a way for enthusiasts to get acquainted with The Cairn’s profile.

What is The Cairn First Peek whisky?

This single malt whisky matured for three years in first-fill sherry hogsheads, giving First Peek a bright amber hue.

Mhairi Winters, head distiller at The Cairn, is incredibly pleased with the character of the first release

'Our aim was to produce a vibrant, fruity spirit and I think this really shows in this first release: full of ripe red fruits, warming cinnamon and richly moreish.'

- Mhairi Winters

How does The Cairn First Peek whisky taste?

The distillery has shared detailed tasting notes:

Nose: Vanilla and milk chocolate. Rich golden sultanas, fresh lime, and walnuts.

Palate: Milk chocolate, with bursts of cranberry and raspberry, followed by pepper, charred oak, and cinnamon.

Finish: Spicy, with fresh mint and lime zest.

The whisky is bottled at 57 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

Where can you buy the inaugural release from The Cairn?

The whisky is available via the distillery itself and is priced at £50. The outturn is limited to 1,000 bottles. As far as we know, it won’t be appearing on general retail shelves.

Discover more about Scotch whisky here.

FAQ

What is The Cairn First Peek 3 Year Old whisky?
The Cairn First Peek 3 Year Old is the very first single malt from The Cairn Distillery. It matured for 3 years in first-fill sherry hogsheads and serves as an introductory bottling ahead of future, older releases.

What does The Cairn First Peek taste like?
The whisky has a fruity and spicy profile with aromas of vanilla, milk chocolate, and dried fruit. On the palate you’ll find cranberry, raspberry, pepper, cinnamon, and oak, with a spicy finish of mint and lime zest.

Where can you buy The Cairn First Peek 3YO?
This limited release of 1,000 bottles is available exclusively through The Cairn Distillery. The recommended price is around £50, and it will not be widely sold in stores.