Cutty Sark is an icon in Scotch whisky, and for good reason. This storied blended Scotch whisky can trace its roots back to 1923. It launched at the height of Prohibition, when alcohol consumption was almost completely banned across the US — a critical market for whisky, even then. But thanks to the intrepid antics of Captain Bill McCoy and his band of seafaring smugglers, Cutty Sark made it into the country and flourished regardless, becoming popular in cocktails served by the underground speakeasies of the day.
Cutty Sark’s adventurous spirit continues to thrive. And, inspired by its audacious past, there’s a bold new bottling on the whisky scene: Cutty Sark 17 Years Old. Aged in three different cask types, the blend’s signature smooth style is amped up with the injection of rich fruit notes. This is a well-aged, expressive whisky to savour.
“To create this rich blend, we first selected fine, aged Highland and Speyside single malts, and married them together for 17 months in hand-picked sherry and port casks,” explains master blender Stephen Woodcock. “Then we united those malts with Lowland grain whisky matured in first-fill bourbon casks, for exceptional creaminess. Bold, fruity and spicy, our 17-year-old is an ocean of complexity, just waiting to be explored.”
This approach has crafted something truly extraordinary. Burnished copper in colour, the nose opens with candied orange peel and red cherry notes, evolving into plum, milk chocolate and sweet spices. On the palate, oaky notes weave between baking bread and cocoa powder, with undercurrents of cappuccino all set in a luxuriously oily texture. Long and lingering, subtle sweet spices, oak and malt drift through the finish. For Woodcock, the brand has always appealed to those who are seeking adventure. “Cutty Sark 17 Years Old is a sumptuous voyage into new depths of taste,” he says, describing the results of his craft.
A whisky of this calibre deserves beautiful packaging, and that’s exactly what we’ve got here. Cutty Sark 17 Years Old is clad in an elegant black presentation box. There’s striking detail in the rope-and-eyelet design on the gift box and the stopper, a nod to Cutty Sark’s nautical heritage. The bottle looks even sharper thanks to its gold lettering, embellished with a flash of the brand’s signature yellow.
This vibrant colour has been Cutty Sark’s for more than a century, though its origins were a happy accident. The brand’s original label was designed by celebrated Scottish artist and co-founder James MacBey, who was also a sailing enthusiast. His drawings were sent off to print. But instead of the expected cream colour, the labels returned sunshine yellow due to a printing error. The hue proved so popular that MacBey’s fellow co-founders Francis Berry and Hugh Rudd, of Berry Brothers & Rudd fame, decided to keep it. This striking look sets Cutty Sark apart in a sea of blended Scotch brands even in the modern day.
Senior brand manager Manon Brochet, along with the rest of the team, is delighted that Cutty Sark 17 Years Old is joining the blended Scotch family, alongside the Cutty Sark Original, Prohibition Edition, 12 Years Old, 33 Years Old, and Centenary Edition. There’s even a deliciously refreshing canned highball, Cutty Sark Ginger Ale, to complete the collection.
“We’re thrilled to be sharing Cutty Sark 17 Years Old with the boldest whisky fans around,” Brochet said. “Born from our pioneering spirit, this whisky stands out for its complex character, exceptional quality and stunning packaging. It is an ideal gift for every whisky connoisseur with adventure in their DNA.”
Cutty Sark 17 Years Old sets sail globally this September.
Learn more at www.cutty-sark.com.
