10 Independent Bottlers Delivering Unique, Beautiful Whiskies

These days there are countless independent bottlers. Each one has its own unique way of delighting whisky lovers with wonderful expressions. Here are 10 independent bottlers releasing distinctive and beautiful whiskies.

The first whisky brand on our list of 10 independent whisky names is Adelphi. The name first appeared almost 200 years ago, in 1826, when a Scotch whisky distillery opened in Glasgow.

Sadly, the distilling venture ended in 1907, but that wasn’t the end of the brand. Adelphi returned in 1993 as an independent bottler of Scotch whisky.

The company is now owned by neighbors Kieth Falconer and Donald Houston, who, together with Alex Bruce and Charles “the nose” MacLean, release exceptionally strong whiskies. For every bottle, the quality of the spirit and the influence of the cask are absolutely paramount.

You can taste that in their single cask whiskies. Every whisky undergoes rigorous quality selection before it’s drawn from the cask and bottled. As a result, whisky lovers around the world can enjoy quality drams that truly linger in memory.

At A.D. Rattray, the motto is that whisky is the most interesting spirit in the world. This independent bottler has been around for over 150 years and is owned by the Morrison family. Under the A.D. Rattray label, special whiskies from a variety of distilleries are bottled.

The beauty of this bottler is that no two whiskies are the same. Each one is a single cask whisky bottled at cask strength.

And you don’t need to travel to the United Kingdom to buy a bottle of A.D. Rattray. You can find their distinctive expressions at Dutch liquor stores as well.

Another independent bottler releasing terrific whiskies is Finn Thomson. They offer several ranges, ensuring there’s something for every whisky enthusiast.

The Core Collection, for example, features whiskies from different distilleries. How about a five-year-old peated Glasgow Distillery expression matured in American oak? Or a 15-year-old Fettercairn 2008 single malt bursting with tropical fruit?

If you’re hunting for more exclusive and older whiskies, Finn Thomson has you covered too. The Rare Collection includes whiskies over 30 years old, while the Crown Collection features only the most rarefied bottles.

It’s easy to bring the diverse expressions from Finn Thomson home in the Netherlands. You’ll find the independent bottler on the shelves at various retailers.

For instance, try a deliciously meaty Dailuaine 11 Year Old whisky.

You’ll find even more rare whisky in the Càrn Mòr portfolio. Owned by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, the bottler is known for an authentic approach to whisky, with several distinct series to explore.

The Strictly Limited range offers releases from different distilleries and ages. There’s a 9-year-old Aberlour from Oloroso sherry casks, and an 8-year-old Craigellachie from European oak, to name just two.

The Celebration of the Cask range showcases various single cask whiskies, always bottled at cask strength.

If you want to buy a Càrn Mòr whisky, you can find them at liquor stores throughout the Netherlands.

Next up is Blackadder whisky, a family business bottling the nectar of the gods since 1995. The bottler’s guiding principle is to minimize intervention between the cask and the bottle.

That means they never use chill-filtration and never add coloring. Moreover, their whisky is bottled essentially as it matured in the cask for years.

So don’t be surprised if you find tiny flecks of wood in a Blackadder whisky. It delivers a pure, authentic experience you won’t soon forget. And the whisky is always bottled at natural cask strength.

Our next bottler in the spotlight was founded by a whisky veteran. When Donald Hart launched The Maltman, part of Meadowside Blending, he brought more than 50 years of experience to the table: experience he poured into a brand where quality comes first.

He now works alongside his son to make a meticulous selection that includes only quality casks. There’s particular focus on maturation and on the finishing process.

The result is single cask whiskies with remarkable depth and complexity in both aroma and flavor. In short, these whiskies engage all your senses in a unique way.

A relatively young name in North Star Whisky. This bottler has quickly made its mark in the whisky world by simply being adventurous. With every release they push into the unknown, while holding the distillery’s flavor and tradition in the highest regard.

Each bottling gives careful consideration to the casks used for maturation, the finishing casks, and how these choices shape the final flavor.

They work with an array of casks, from sherry and wine to rum and other more exotic finishes.

Under the Brave New Spirits banner, several intriguing whisky brands emerge. One of them is Whisky of Voodoo. You might think voodoo spells trouble, but this is the exception you’ll want to try.

The whiskies from Whisky of Voodoo are special small-batch single malts and single grains with age statements. They’re sourced from distilleries like Dailuaine, Blair Athol Distillery, and other well-known Scottish producers. The Whisky of Voodoo bottles are always released at cask strength, reaching up to 59 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

The only voodoo you’ll find here is on the stunning labels, line-drawn scenes steeped in voodoo lore. And they look downright slick.

Er zijn dan ook al talloze whisky's uitgebracht die steevast uit sherryvaten komen. Denk aan de Old Perth Double Sherry Wood whisky waarbij PX- en Oloroso vaten gebruikt zijn. Of probeer eens een van de gelimiteerde edities zoals de Old Perth Manzanilla. Ook binnen het kader van sherryrijping is de keuze enorm.

Love Speyside whisky and have a soft spot for sherry-cask character? And not necessarily keen on sticking only to distillery bottlings? Then you should try an Old Perth whisky. This bottler selects the finest sherry-matured whiskies from Speyside and blends them into a flavorful new whole.

Love Speyside whisky and have a soft spot for sherry-cask character? And not necessarily keen on sticking only to distillery bottlings? Then you should try an Old Perth whisky. This bottler selects the finest sherry-matured whiskies from Speyside and blends them into a flavorful new whole.

Old Perth is based in the former blending capital of the world: Perth. From here they carry on the blending tradition with a laser focus on quality and exceptional flavor. The brand dates back to 1908, bringing a wealth of experience to the world of whisky.

They’ve released countless whiskies, all drawn from sherry casks. Think of Old Perth Double Sherry Wood, matured in PX and Oloroso casks. Or try one of the limited editions like Old Perth Manzanilla. Even within the sherry-matured spectrum, the choice is vast.