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Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky
In 1923 Francis Berry and Hugh Rudd challenged existing scotch whisky standards by producing the 'Original' naturally-coloured blended whisky: Cutty Sark Scots Whisky. The market at the time was dominated by the heavier, coarser blends; Berrys created a smooth, softer blend (akin to Cognac) based on the finest single malts, those from the Speyside region of Scotland.
'Cutty Sark' is Gaelic for 'short shirt' and the whisky is named after the 19th century tea clipper, which was the fastest sailing ship of her day.
Cutty Sark Original is naturally pale gold in colour with a fresh, fragrant aroma, supported by hints of vanilla and oak. Notably, it has a long, clean, fruity aftertaste, one which sets it apart from its competitors.
Crucially, the Cutty Sark blend is left in oak casks for up to 6 months before bottling (top Champagne houses follow a similar practice: 'sur lattes'). This allows the malts & grains to 'marry' properly, so delivering a round, fuller 'mouth-feel'.
Although single malts from all over Scotland are used in the Cutty Sark blend, with Islay providing 'freshness', the Highlands 'smokiness'and the Lowlands 'fruitiness', at its heart lies The Glenrothes Speyside Single Malt. This malt contributes elegance and complexity, as well as some heathery honeyness.
Cutty Sark Original is one of the top 10 best-selling blended scotch whiskies in the world.
Blended Whiskies
Blended Whisky is made from a blend of whiskies from different distilleries. Ireland, Canada, Japan all produce blends, yet the most renown manifestation of this whisky type comes in the form of Blended Scotch Whisky. The term denotes a blend of one or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with one or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies from different distilleries.
The typical proportion is 60% grain to 40% malt. The degree of complexity and smoothness in the final blend depends on the percentage of malt. Each whisky used in the blending will normally have been matured for about 5 years, although many other longer-matured versions are also available on the market.
The term should not be confused with Blended (formely known as Vatted) Malt Scotch Whisky, which comprises only Single Malt Scotch Whiskies (100% barley), which have been distilled at more than one distillery.
The practice of blending Scots malts trace its origins back to the Victorian times. The original family-run distilleries did not have bottling facilities. They used to sell whole casks of whisky to bottlers, blenders and merchants who then combined the product of various distilleries, to craft a consistent "brand style".
It is still true that a significant proportion of the malt whisky produced in Scotland is used in Blends, which constitute a large share of the market, although the recent trends in the whisky trade have brought Single Malts into prominence. Important style ambassadors include Bailie Nicole Jarvie, Chivas Regal, Dewars, Haig, Whyte & Mackay, Bell's Whisky, Compass Box, The Famous Grouse, Langs, Black&White (Buchanans), Cuttty Sark, Johnnie Walker, Stronachie
When is a wine ready to drink?
We provide drinking windows for all our wines. Alongside the drinking windows there is a bottle icon and a maturity stage. Bear in mind that the best time to drink a wine does also depend on your taste.
Not ready
These wines are very young. Whilst they're likely to have lots of intense flavours, their acidity or tannins may make them feel austere. Although it isn't "wrong" to drink these wines now, you are likely to miss out on a lot of complexity by not waiting for them to mature.
Ready - youthful
These wines are likely to have plenty of fruit flavours still and, for red wines, the tannins may well be quite noticeable. For those who prefer younger, fruitier wines, or if serving alongside a robust meal, these will be very enjoyable. If you choose to hold onto these wines, the fruit flavours will evolve into more savoury complexity.
Ready - at best
These wines are likely to have a beautiful balance of fruit, spice and savoury flavours. The acidity and tannins will have softened somewhat, and the wines will show plenty of complexity. For many, this is seen as the ideal time to drink and enjoy these wines. If you choose to hold onto these wines, they will become more savoury but not necessarily more complex.
Ready - mature
These wines are likely to have plenty of complexity, but the fruit flavours will have been almost completely replaced by savoury and spice notes. These wines may have a beautiful texture at this stage of maturity. There is lots to enjoy when drinking wines at this stage. Most of these wines will hold in this window for a few years, though at the very end of this drinking window, wines start to lose complexity and decline.
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Description
Cutty Sark was established in 1923 by Berry Bros. & Rudd. Its name comes from the clipper ship Cutty Sark, whose name came from the Scots term “cutty-sark”, a short shirt quoted by famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. The drawing of the clipper ship on the label is a work of the Swedish artist Carl Wallin, a mariner painter. This drawing has been on the label since 1955.
Iain Glover, Spirits Advisor, Berry Bros. & Rudd
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