The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) has acquired US-based independent bottling brand Single Cask Nation.

Founded by Jason Johnstone-Yellin and Joshua Hatton in 2011, Single Cask Nation joins the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and J.G. Thomson & Co as part of the ASC portfolio. The move will not impact operations of the SMWS.

While Johnstone-Yellin and Hatton will continue to run Single Cask Nation, Steve Hawley, president of the America Single Malt Whiskey Commission has joined the ASC team to work closely on the newly acquired brand’s strategy and tactics.

ASC CEO Andrew Dane commented on the acquisition: "We are thrilled to welcome Single Cask Nation to our family of brands at Artisanal Spirits Company, alongside The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and J.G. Thomson & Co. 

“This acquisition aligns with our ambition to thoughtfully expand the portfolio while staying true to our core mission to captivate a global community of whisky adventurers with rare and exceptional bottlings. 

“This is also very much an investment in Jason and Joshua themselves who have cultivated a global following and stellar reputation as thought leaders in the world of whisky. They will both add a tremendous wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to our business and we’re looking forward to welcoming them and their followers to the family.”

Single Cask Nation sources and bottles both rare single-cask and limited-edition whiskies and other spirits for sale both online and through specialist on- and -off premise accounts. It has an audience of approximately 10,000 whisky drinkers, with its largest market being the United States.

Co-founder Johnstone-Yellin added: “In a way, by joining Artisanal Spirits Company we’re coming full-circle in our whisky journey. It was actually the Scotch Malt Whisky Society that first inspired us to start an independent bottling business in the first place. We’ve admired them (and their whiskies) for years, so to be a sister brand to them now is pretty wild.”