Cutty Sark

In 1923, the partners of London wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd decided to create a deliberately light, pale blended Scotch for the American market – as a contrast to the heavier, smokier whiskies prevalent at the time. The brand was named after the famous tea clipper "Cutty Sark", now a museum ship berthed in Greenwich.

In 1961, Cutty Sark became the first Scotch ever to become America's best-selling whisky, with over a million cases sold. In 2010, Edrington bought the brand from Berry Bros. & Rudd, ending an 87-year partnership. From Cutty Sark Original to the 12 Year Old, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.

Why was a sailing ship chosen as the brand's namesake?

In 1923, the partners of Berry Bros. & Rudd deliberately went against the era's trend toward heavy, smoky blends, creating a pale, light whisky specifically for the US market with Cutty Sark. Its name came from the famous tea clipper "Cutty Sark" – a fast sailing ship that once carried tea from China to Britain and can today be visited as a museum ship in Greenwich. The first bottles appeared on an export list in 1927, and by the time Prohibition ended in 1933, the brand was already firmly established in the US.

How did Cutty Sark become America's best-selling Scotch?

In 1936, Robertson & Baxter – which later evolved into the Edrington Group – became the sole supplier of whisky for the Cutty Sark blend. In 1961, less than 30 years after the end of Prohibition, Cutty Sark became the first Scotch whisky ever to sell over one million cases a year in the US. In 2010, Edrington finally also bought the brand rights themselves from Berry Bros. & Rudd, ending an 87-year partnership with the London wine merchant.

Overview of the most popular bottlings

1. Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky
The brand's classic, pale base blend.
Taste: Light and soft with subtle grain sweetness.
Serving suggestion: Ideal neat, on ice, or as a highball base.

2. Cutty Sark 12 Year Old
A longer-matured, more complex version of the original.
Taste: Riper fruit with gentle spice.
Serving suggestion: For anyone seeking a richer blend.

Facts and figures

Founded: 1923 by Berry Bros. & Rudd, London. Milestone: 1961, first Scotch to sell over 1 million cases in the US. Owner since 2010: Edrington.