About This Event

Exploring the world of independent whisky bottlings. Join us for our final tasting of the year, as we explore what independent whisky bottlers bring to the glass. Independent bottlers source from distillers and present those whiskies in ways which they believe can interest a broad range of people. They are an increasingly important part of the whisky scene, often great innovators and trailblazers showing the big boys how things can be done. Often official bottlings are underpowered and overpriced and someimes coloured (Im looking at you Macallan and especially you Dalmore) so the best way to get a sense fo what a particular distillery can produce is to seek out indie bottlings. Independent bottlers give us another way to discover what a distillery can produce. By selecting individual casks or small batches, they can offer whiskies with distinctive character, often at higher strengths, allowing us to explore flavours that might be less apparent in the familiar official releases. They also shine a light on distilleries whose whisky mostly disappears into blends. Blair Athol, for example, is closely associated with Bell’s, but has plenty of character worth discovering in its own right. An independent bottling can give these less familiar names their well-deserved moment in the sunlight. Across six bottles, we’ll explore different distilleries, casks and bottling approaches, comparing notes and asking what makes each whisky interesting. Do higher strengths always make for a better dram? What does a particular cask bring? And can an independent release offer better value than a distillery’s own bottling? There’s no need to arrive with the answers — or any specialist knowledge. This is a relaxed evening of tasting, discovery and conversation, where everyone’s impressions are welcome. Expect good company, six interesting whiskies and our usual raffle, as we round off the Derby Whisky Club year together. Come along with an open mind and see where the independents take us.

Staying overnight?

Hotels within walking distance of The Royal Standard.

Frequently asked questions