Scotland’s Independent Scotch Whisky

This blog marks the first in a series we will run this year looking at some of these fine independent Scottish whisky bottling companies. Here at The Whisky Barrel, we specialise in stocking Scotch Whisky from Scotland’s finest Indy bottling companies. Much like us, they are often independent, family owned and family run. So we are keen to support similarly minded Scottish enterprises. We start with our chums at Morrison & MacKay, along with the group’s brand new Aberargie Distillery. They invited us for a visit early in January and we jumped at the chance. Inside #IndyScotchWhisky

The Morrison & MacKay Whisky Trail

I say ‘trail’…it’s a very short skip across the car park between the Morrison & MacKay bottling operations and Aberargie Distillery. If you are a regular to The Whisky Barrel you will be well versed in the range of fantastic independent whisky that is bottled by the fine folks of Morrison & MacKay:- so, a trail of releases we shall say. Their Carn Mor – Strictly Limited; Celebration of the Cask – and Old Perth label are some of the best indy whiskies available. Now, they have moved, literally, on to a whole new venture both with the opening of their new premises for bottling Carn Mor among others and the brand new Aberargie Distillery. This is an exciting new whisky project and much like the recent news of Daftmill Distillery, this is another one right on our doorstep…though not quite Fife.

In November last year, the first run of spirit came off the still and shortly after the first cask of Aberargie spirit was put into cask. Now laid down to rest, slumber and mature until the whisky is ready. So, with the opportunity to formally visit the Distillery we jumped at the chance.

Although this new distillery is a venture closely tied to Morrison & MacKay bottling company, it is owned by a separate company – The Perth Distilling Co., for the sensible practice of business clarity. This company is owned by the Morrison family. The farm on which the distillery and Morrison & MacKay’s premises are located, is also in the Morrison Family. Got that? Good. We will start here by looking at Morrison & MacKay’s bottling operations.

Carn Mor Whisky and More

Modern, intertwined with tradition.  Fancy new offices. Fancy new bottling hall. Same fantastic range of old and young traditional oak casks. These are the delights that are Morrison & MacKay’s new bottling premises in Aberargie, Perthshire – right on the border with Fife. Carn Mor Whisky, along with the Old Perth label, is the mainstay for this indy bottler. Both brands have grown a very savvy and well-informed following in the whisky world. And rightly so. Carn Mor Strictly Limited has set a place as the affordable scotch whisky. It offers young whisky but that brings a variety of distilleries. And, if you’ve tried you’ll know, whisky that usually belies it youthfulness. The Celebration of the Cask, Black Gold, and recently Bequest labels offer bigger vintages and ages – truly specially selected.

There is big whisky pedigree within this company. Both the Morrison and MacKay names being the very same of the Morrison-Bowmore fame on Islay. Connections such as this lead to access and opportunity for some very fine casks of whisky indeed. They are very proud of their wood policy here, and rightly so. Our visit to their bottling operations well and truly gave us straight from the cask, proof of quality. The new premises have given Morrison & MacKay the space and equipment needed to keep up with demand.

A swanky new bottling hall complete with a seamless line of bottling equipment. From a machine literally sooking up corks and popping them on the bottle to a machine whipping up the cardboard boxes for cases of whisky. But best of all, it leaves a certain focus on the warehouse. The treasure trove of casks. The warehouse is a working synonym. Modern, precise and engineered metal racking holding traditional, old, hand-made wooden oak casks. One day the walls will be black.

Casks of Whisky – To The Warehouse.

The warehouse of any distillery or bottling company is where the real interest lies for many visitors. And the same can be said for Morrison & MacKay and ourselves. The enthusiasm to show us what it slumbering in the warehouse is apparent. Our enthusiasm to explore evident. The warehouse with racking to the rafter, may look a little sparse in the pictures, but this is an indication of the growth planned for the company. Stocks of casks are already greater with this extra space. It’ll be no time until they are racking to the roof. So what whisky lurks?

First port of call was a rather special grain whisky. Suspected to be a blend of North British and Port Dundas and a vintage pushing towards the 50 year mark. It is utterly incredible! Depth, fruit and a very high quality mouthfeel. When this hits the shelves all bottled up, be ready. Second in line to taste was the next release of the Macallan-Highland Park blend for the Old Perth label. Release number 1 went down a storm last year. Release number 2 is due this year. And it’s good. Ink dark in colour and full of classic Macallan tropical fruits. The Highland Park is in their but Macallan runs this cask.

The warehouse was rounded off by two big hitters. Highland Park 1995 vintage and a Caol Ila 1983 just in the door. The Caol Ila in particular is something to behold. Tasting the whisky before it is bottled is special. Getting to watch whisky being dram from the cask as well, is always memorable experience. We can’t wait to see these and future casks make their way into Morrison & MacKay’s fantastic range of whisky releases.

The First 2018 Carn Mor Imminent

Younger casks followed, soon to be released in the Carn Mor Strictly Limited output – these should be available on TheWhiskyBarrel.com early February. There is a lovely Auchentoshan in the lineup. We sampled straight from the cask it was beautiful. At 46% it retains the character but perhaps a little more mellower which should open this up to a wider palate.

There is also a Macallan Black Gold. Special. It is a very balanced Macallan whisky. A 1992 vintage sherry cask and only around 180 bottles. Demand for this is high. There are more lined up for our shelves so check our New Arrivals pages in early Feb. (Due to land with us this week – keep an eye on social media too #IndyScotchWhisky)

Part 1.2 – Inside Aberargie Distillery will follow…

Finally, we were invited to take a look at the lovely new distillery operation of Aberargie Distillery.