Independent Bottling: Why to Look for It
Independent Bottling is the act of sourcing whiskies from a distillery and maturing that spirit until it is ready. Sometimes Independent Bottlers will transfer the whisky into another cask to enhance the flavors. One of the beauties of Independent Bottlers is that they have the freedom to select casks and spirits at will and really create a diverse portfolio. With multiple spirit styles to play from, bottlers can develop interesting and different flavor profiles with their stocks and blends. The best Independent Bottlers are known for their originality and knack for experimenting with flavors. Keep in mind that while some Independent Bottlers come up with new and inventive names for their spirits, they do not always bottle their whiskies under other names.
The art of Independent Bottling
Dean Jode, the Head of Whisky Creations at Murray McDavid, described Independent Bottlers in an interesting way during a recent interview with Glass Revolution when he called them treasure hunters. Independent bottlers have access to incredible whiskies from distilleries around the world and from there they can decide how to transform that spirit into something new, something different, and something unique. Through the process of Independent Bottling, these companies are able to bring out quite unusual characteristics and styles that one wouldn’t normally see with distillery releases. They are also able to release Single Malt Whiskies that would normally be used in blends.
Becoming an Independent Bottler is no small feat. It takes knowledge of the industry, a passion for trying new things, and significant capital. Exceptional casks are hard to come by and can be quite expensive, but the most successful Independent Bottlers know that even though they come with a high price tag, casks make all the difference in transforming a good whisky into an amazing one.
How Murray McDavid is leading the industry
While some Independent Bottlers focus on a small variety of spirits to work with, Murray McDavid’s maturation program is one of the most diverse in the industry with 96 different distilleries in their portfolio. Over their 25+ year history, Murray McDavid has established strong relationships with cask suppliers and producers of fine wine and spirits which has aided them in their mission to create wonderful whiskies. The magnitude of their operation allows their team to experiment and try more daring methods of maturing spirits.
One of the beauties of Murray McDavid’s process is that they are still in tune with the early ideas of the founders. While they are still creating some tried and true spirits, their slightly rebellious approach allows them to create different and interesting spirits, rare in the world of whisky. With over 8,000 barrels aging, Murray McDavid has one of the most extensive collections of independent spirits in the world.
Why spirits from Independent Bottlers are unique
Many people who don’t know much about the art of Independent Bottling are also unaware of how these spirits are different from those released by the distillery. Murray McDavid's Allt-A-Bhainne 25-Year-Old is a prime example. Limited to 294 bottles from a single cask. At the foot of the mighty Ben Rinnes Mountain is one of the lesser-known distilleries in Scotland. Allt-a-Bhainne is a hidden gem, producing only a small amount of fruity single malt each year. This rare Speysider has been affectionately matured in Kentucky bourbon and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks over the past quarter of a century.
Gently maturing for 22 years in American oak, this Allt-a-Bhainne has developed qualities that only time, and patience can create. Adding further complexity, this 25-year-old spirit rested for its final three years in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask to complement the delicacies within this highly venerable single malt whisky.
Rare spirits coming to the United States
At Glass Revolution Imports we are proud to import a portfolio of some of the most exceptional spirits across the globe like those produced at Murray McDavid. In late 2021, Murray McDavid is releasing a collection of 23 new and exciting whiskies exclusively available through Glass Revolution. To make sure you are the first to know when these make their way to America, make sure to sign up for our newsletter and join our group of Dram Hunters.