Cutty Sark

About the Cutty Sark

Cutty Sark is a blended Scotch whisky from Scotland. Created in 1923 by the London wine and spirit merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd. The Cutty Sark blend was designed from the outset to be light in style. That lightness made it popular at a time when heavier blends dominated the market. The name honours a real clipper ship built on the River Clyde. "Cutty Sark" is a Scots phrase meaning "short shirt," taken from Robert Burns' poem "Tam o' Shanter." The bottle has carried a maritime painting of that tall ship on its yellow label since 1955. The artwork was painted by Swedish maritime artist Carl Georg August Wallin. The brand later sponsored The Tall Ships' Races, carrying that seafaring identity into the modern era. On the palate, Cutty Sark leads with sweet grain and malty cereal notes. Caramel and vanilla are present throughout. Floral and honey tones add softness. There is a gentle oaky warmth at the back. Pear rounds out the fruitier side. The overall impression is clean and easy-going. Cutty Sark sits at 40% ABV, which keeps the spirit approachable without losing character. It drinks well neat in a small glass. The flavours are honest and without fuss. This is a whisky that built its reputation on consistency over decades. It does not try to impress with weight or intensity. It earns its place through reliable flavour and a story rooted in Scottish seafaring heritage. Pour it neat. The grain and malt are clear from the first sip. That simplicity is earned, not accidental.