A printing mistake made this whisky bottle instantly recognisable

Monday, 20 July 2026 at 14:12

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It’s Monday again, which means it’s time to give your grey matter a kickstart. This week we’re telling the story behind a whisky with a striking yellow label and a famous sailing ship on the front. What does this whisky have to do with a witch?

Spot a bottle of Cutty Sark and you’ll immediately recognize the yellow label and the sailing ship. It’s hard to miss. This blended Scotch stands out, not least thanks to its very modest price tag. But where does the name come from?

Cutty Sark whisky was born over lunch

The answer is twofold. Cutty Sark Scotch whisky was conceived on March 23, 1923. Francis Berry and Hugh Rudd of Berry Bros. & Rudd discussed the idea for a new Scotch whisky.

They wanted a lighter blend than many whiskies of the time—something smooth, easy to recognize, and with appeal beyond Scotland. Scottish artist James McBey was at the table and suggested the name Cutty Sark.

That name points to the famous sailing ship Cutty Sark, launched in Scotland in 1869. Built to carry tea from China to Great Britain, the ship was renowned for its speed.

What does the name Cutty Sark mean?

Although the whisky is named after the ship, the ship’s own name comes from another source close to whisky culture. Cutty Sark appears in a poem by Robert Burns. In his work Tam o’ Shanter, speed is the central theme.

In the tale, the protagonist is chased by a witch named Nannie. She isn’t wearing an ordinary dress, but a short shift. In Scots, such a garment is called a “cutty sark.” So the whisky’s name indirectly refers to the witch’s undergarment.

What does Cutty Sark whisky taste like?

Cutty Sark is a blended Scotch made from a variety of malt and grain whiskies. Its style is deliberately light. The flavor depends on the specific edition you buy, but you can expect clear notes of vanilla, citrus, grain, and a touch of spice.

Why is there a ship on the Scotch whisky bottle?

The sailing ship on the Cutty Sark label is no random image. James McBey drew the Cutty Sark for the whisky’s first packaging.

The ship symbolized travel, speed, and long-distance trade, perfectly aligned with Berry Bros. & Rudd’s ambition to sell the whisky internationally.

One thing that wasn’t planned was the yellow label. A printing error made the paper brighter than intended. Instead of changing the design, the company decided to keep the vivid color.

Have you ever tried a Cutty Sark whisky? Let us know in the comments below and share your thoughts.

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FAQ

Where does the name Cutty Sark come from?
The name comes from Robert Burns’s Scots poem Tam o’ Shanter. In it, the witch Nannie wears a short shift, which in Scots is called a “cutty sark.”
Why is there a sailing ship on the label?
The ship on the label is the Cutty Sark, a famous British clipper from 1869. The whisky was named after this vessel.
Why does Cutty Sark have a yellow label?
According to the brand’s well-known origin story, the striking yellow label resulted from a printing error. The color stood out so well that they decided to keep it.