The popular blended Scotch whisky brand of Cutty Sark is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and has released a commemorative whisky – the Cutty Sark Centenary Edition. The whisky is bottled at 23 years of age and features a pocket of stock distilled in 1999 that was matured in ex-Port casks. These were selected and married by Master Blender Stephen Woodcock.
The Cutty Sark brand was created in March 1923, allegedly following a lunch between the owners of the famous London wine and spirits merchants Berry Brothers & Rudd (Francis Berry and Hugh Rudd) and Scottish artist James McBey. It was named after the Cutty Sark, the famous tea clipper, and legend has it that McBey started drawing the logo of the boat on a napkin.
The brand was aimed at the export market and during the post-Prohibition era in America it rapidly grew to become the best selling Scotch whisky there. Cutty Sark remains one of the biggest selling whisky brands in the USA and across the world, and is currently owned by La Martiniquaise. The Centenary Edition sits alongside a core range of blends which features the core Yellow Label, the smoky Prohibition and a series of age statements at 12, 15, 18 and 25 years old.
The Cutty Sark Centenary Edition is released at 52.2% ABV and there are just 1,435 bottles – these will be available via specialist retailers in selected markets worldwide. The packaging is inspired by the brand’s maritime past and its association with the famous tea clipper ship Cutty Sark. A bottle will cost £800.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is a coppery gold with a deep red tint and the nose is packed with fruity and spicy aromas. Dried fruits such as raisin, sultana, cranberry and orange peel lead the way. These are followed by brown sugar, toffee and caramel with a hefty pinch of baking spice and a hint of marshmallow.
On the palate this whisky is silky and soft to begin with. The fruity and sweet notes from the nose dominate – think of the raisin, sultana and crumbly brown sugar in particular. added to this are hints of ripe peach and apricot, plus some milk chocolate and candied orange peel. A hint of toffee apple also comes through.
The second half of the palate is all about the spices and oak. These characteristics are enhanced by a distinct note of dark chocolate and cocoa powder. Cinnamon and clove are evident and marry well with both cedar and sandalwood. Oak and red wine tannins also evolve and create a gripping and pleasant dryness on the inside of the mouth. This makes you want to take another sip.
The finish continues this theme. The sweet notes fade first, then the fruity ones. This leaves the wood and spice to drag out the finish to a decent length. Drying oak and warm baking spices, especially the cinnamon and clove again, give a mouth watering feel. A hint of gingerbread rounds things off nicely.
What’s The Verdict?
This is a beautiful whisky from Cutty Sark and one fitting for its 100th birthday. It feels special and decadent, although moving away from the lighter and more delicate style associated with the brand. That is not a criticism, just a statement – the whisky is sublime and marries sweet, fruity and woody notes together superbly. Definitely a whisky to be sipped during a special occasion, especially given the price. Worth a taste if you ever get the opportunity and one not to be missed.
