What is an Independent Bottler?
Across the whisky landscape, there are two main types of bottlings: Original Bottlers (OBs) and Independent Bottlers (IBs). Independent Bottlers of whisky have been adored by whisky enthusiasts for decades - but what exactly is an Independent Bottler?
In this article, you’ll learn the primary differences between Original and Independent bottlings. Before diving into the specifics of an Independent bottler, we'll talk about both and how they get their casks, including the pros and cons of why a distillery would sell a cask to them and why you should consider adding a few to your home bar.
This article doesn’t cover the history of independent bottlings. If you’re keen to learn more about this, we highly recommend you read David Stirk's ‘Independent Scotch—The History of Independent Bottlers'.
What is an Independent Bottler?
There are two main types of bottlings across the whisky landscape: Original Bottlers (OBs) and Independent Bottlers (IBs).
Original Bottlings (OBs) originate directly from a distillery or its parent company. For example, popular labels like Glenmorangie 10, Highland Park 12, and Craigellachie 13 are all OBs, meaning they are distilled, aged, and bottled by the same company. This process allows distilleries to control the entire lifecycle of their whisky, shaping its profile to reflect their signature style.
Independent Bottlers (IBs), or Indies, on the other hand, are companies or individuals who buy casks from distilleries and bottle the whisky under their own label. Once they acquire a cask, they can introduce unique touches to the whisky, adding their own “flair” in several ways:
Bottling the cask as is – preserving the whisky in its original state.
Adjusting its strength – sometimes reducing the alcoholic strength to bring out subtler flavours and make it more drinkable (single casks, at cask strength, can range anywhere from 40 - 65%abv, so they can sometimes pack a punch)
Ageing the cask further – moving it to another warehouse for additional maturation.
Re-racking or finishing – transferring the whisky to a new type of cask for a period to add a final flourish of flavour.
Blending small batches – combining a few casks to create something altogether new.
Just as OBs from distilleries have distinct characteristics (such as Aberfeldy’s signature honeyed notes, Clynelish’s waxy texture, or Starward’s Australian red wine cask influences), Independent Bottlers often bring their own recognizable “house styles.” For example, WhiskySponge focuses on bottling rare and old Scotch whisky, while SMWS uses creative labelling and numbering to organize its range, and James Eadie specialises in unique cask finishes.
Do Independent Bottlers just exist in Whisky?
Absolutely not! In fact, here are a few of our favourite independent bottlers across other spirit categories that we’d highly recommend you dive into:
El Destilado - London-based business sourcing agave spirits directly from small producers in Mexico. Although they haven’t bottled for a while, their bottlings are still available through retailers such as Clapton Craft and The Whisky Exchange
Samaroli - An incredibly prestigious Italian Independent Bottler known for its exquisite whisky + rum bottlings.
Swell de Spirits - looking for delicious and conversation-starting Cognac, Armagnac or Rum? This French-based independent bottler has its finger on the pulse when it comes to interesting casks of exceptional quality and stunning labels.
Why Choose an Independent Bottling?
Think of an Independent Bottler as a curator in an art gallery. They select, shape, and present whiskies from distilleries they admire, sometimes as an ongoing, revolving gallery, and other times creating unique “collections.” Berry Bros. & Rudd are a great example of the latter, with themed series that are available seasonally or periodically, such as their “The Collective #1: The Pioneers” collection, which champions single casks from sustainable distilleries across the world. And for the former, a great example is the bottlings from That Boutiquey Whisky Company or our releases from The Heart Cut - we release expressions periodically throughout the year, meaning there’s always something new to try.
Independent Bottlers allow whisky fans to experience a distillery’s product through the bottler’s unique perspective. They often introduce cask types that differ from the distillery’s standard profile.
For instance, if you’re a fan of a particular distillery, an Independent Bottler offers a chance to try that whisky with a new twist, such as an unexpected cask finish. Independent Bottlers aren’t intended to replace OBs but to complement them, providing a way to explore the same whisky through a fresh lens.
They also help you explore new distilleries you may not have encountered before. That’s another reason we set up The Heart Cut - to inspire a more explorative drinking experience by spotlighting distilleries we love, in the hope that you then discover them too.
This, written up by Emily Webster for Barley Magazine, sums it up really nicely:
"I like to buy whisky from Independent bottlers. I like that I can get to know the style of the ‘master blender’ at a quality Indie and then trust them to introduce me to distilleries I might have otherwise never discovered.
Finding a good independent bottler is like meeting a great bartender who knows your palate and the right cocktails to fire your imagination without you even having to pick up the menu. Better than that, the independent bottler takes you there from the comfort of your home.
The joy of these whisky genies is their ability to sniff out the best casks and give them the attention they deserve. For the big league distilleries producing huge quantities of whisky, those particular cask gems are easily overlooked.
Independent bottlers revel in letting those casks shine through innovative cask ageing, careful barrel control and limited bottling when, and only when, the whisky signals that it is ready."
Where do Independent Bottlers get their casks from?
Typically, this will come from two different areas - from cask brokers or directly from distilleries.
Cask brokers are businesses that buy and sell casks. They often have relationships with distilleries and acquire ‘parcels’ of casks (multiple casks), either with new-made spirit inside, freshly filled, and left to age for a while or buying and selling them immediately.
Cask brokers will have spreadsheets of casks and regularly send these to businesses and private individuals on their mailing lists, with information on the cask and a price.
There are some more reputable cask brokers than others, and you have to be very careful when purchasing from one.
Why Would a Distillery Sell to an Independent Bottler?
As you can imagine, this is a question we get asked fairly often, especially when people are new to the idea of Independent Bottling. After all, the distillery made the whisky, so shouldn’t they bottle it themselves?
To break it down, here are some of the pros and cons of why a distillery would want to sell a cask to an Independent Bottler
Pros:
Audience and Reach – Independent Bottlers often have established followings among whisky enthusiasts who trust their curation skills, unique perspectives and ability to discover absolute gems. By partnering with these bottlers, a distillery can introduce itself to a broader audience than it might reach with its usual releases.
Power of Association – Working with highly regarded Independent Bottlers can enhance a distillery’s reputation, especially if that bottler is seen as an expert, with a knack for selecting exceptional casks that really tell a story of that distillery and their provanance/people/pursuit of flavour.
New Markets – An independent bottler might be in a geographical market that the distillery has yet to launch in, or has only just launched in, thus reinforcing their presence. And visa versa - it’s mutually beneficial.
Another credible voice - If set up correctly and with the distillery at the forefront, the Independent Bottler can act as another credible voice, telling the brands story in a different guise and thus reinforcing why that distillery should be on your radar.
Cons:
Reduced Profit – Selling a cask directly may yield lower profits than bottling and selling it at retail margins.
Brand Control – Once a cask is sold, the distillery loses control over how the whisky is presented, and how their story is told etc... The bottler may, for instance, choose a finishing cask that alters the whisky’s profile significantly. For example, if the distillery’s known for making a light, floral style of whisky but it’s finished in a rambunctious sherry cask, it could develop to be totally unrecognisable and (although hopefully not) turn out to not taste that great. Such experiences can really affect a drinker’s impression of the distillery, especially if you’re coming across it for the first time.
As you can see, there’s a lot of trust at play, but if set up correctly, an Independent Bottler can be a force for good for the whisky industry as a whole and introduce people to distilleries in a guided, credible way.
In Summary
If you love whisky, we wholeheartedly encourage you to explore Independent Bottlings alongside Original Bottlings from distilleries. Independent Bottlings aren’t an alternative; they’re an enriching addition, an “and,” not an “or” situation.
Through Independent Bottlers, you have the chance to discover new distilleries that may not be on your radar and familiar distilleries from fresh perspectives, curated by trusted, passionate voices in the industry,
They’re a world within the world of whisky - just waiting to be discovered.
