What’s in your diary for Friday 5 December? Celebrate the end of Prohibition this Repeal Day with a Cutty Sark Rob Roy, made with the blend that captures the defiant spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
From 1920 to 1933, the production, import, and sale of alcohol were banned across the USA. Known as Prohibition, the temperance movement brought this era about through the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution. However, America’s drinkers are a creative bunch. Although alcohol was banned, secret ‘speakeasy’ bars flourished. This vibrant underground scene was made possible by the likes of Captain Bill McCoy, the legendary liquor trader who smuggled Scotch whiskies into the US.
One of the most popular was Cutty Sark. Launched at the height of Prohibition in 1923, this smooth, mellow blended Scotch soon won fans across the country and cemented its status as a high-quality choice worth seeking out, amidst a sea of bootleg hooch. Perfect for mixing, Cutty Sark found a ready audience as cocktail culture went underground: from Old Fashioneds to Sours, it was a deliciously versatile choice for partygoers with a taste for quality and the daring to drink in defiance of the law.
Cutty Sark’s popularity only soared after Prohibition was repealed and cocktails entered a new Golden Age. When bars were finally allowed to reopen their doors on 5 December 1933, thirsty drinkers were savouring 7,000 cases of Cutty Sark each year. By 1935, that total had hit 80,000. Americans truly had a taste for the blend, and in 1962, Cutty Sark became the first Scotch ever to sell more than a million cases a year in the United States.
Today, Cutty Sark is still celebrated for its intrepid character, versatility and delicious mixability. And this Repeal Day, the brand is unveiling a refreshed pack for Cutty Sark Prohibition. The signature black bottle now carries a zing of its signature yellow and is emblazoned with the Spirit of Adventure stamp. It’s an eye-catching presentation to match an audacious whisky.
And what a whisky. Bold and spicy, this non-chill-filtered, overproof blended Scotch is bottled at 50% ABV, letting its creamy complexity shine. Citrus, honey and vanilla dance on the nose before lively pepper and rich toffee arrive on the palate. The finish is smooth, with lingering sweet spices.
For 2025, the whisky’s heritage is being celebrated with a striking new campaign. Cutty Sark Prohibition has been paired with black-and-white photography of Bill McCoy, the iconic New York skyline, and a newspaper front page announcing the end of Prohibition. The design also features cocktails, as well as a compass — a nod to Cutty Sark’s maritime connections.
While Cutty Sark found fame in the US, its home remains in Scotland. For Repeal Day 2025, the whisky is set to celebrate in style with parties across the country. From The Gate in Glasgow on 30 November to Nauticus in Edinburgh on 1 December and Aberdeen’s Ninety Nine on 2 December, some of the UK’s most talented bartenders are ready to shake up a storm.
“Prohibition, and its repeal, were the making of Cutty Sark more than a century ago. We can’t wait to celebrate Repeal Day this year by showcasing our bold and spicy, overproof Cutty Sark Prohibition, a tribute to our brand’s iconic heritage,” said Cutty Sark brand manager Manon Brochet. “We can’t think of a better way to mark this historic date than by hosting some of the UK’s finest bartenders for an evening of inventive cocktails, embodying Cutty Sark’s spirit of adventure.”
Learn more at www.cutty-sark.com.
Cutty Sark Rob Roy
Named for the Scottish folk hero, this cocktail is true to Cutty Sark’s spirit.
Ingredients
- 50ml Cutty Sark Prohibition
- 20ml sweet vermouth
- A dash of orange bitters
Method
Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass with lots of ice. Stir until chilled and diluted to taste, then strain into a frozen cocktail glass. Express and garnish with an orange peel twist, then toast Cutty Sark’s bold character this Repeal Day.
