Cutty Sark

Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky was created in London in 1923 by wine merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd for the American export market — specifically designed to be lighter and more approachable than the heavier, smokier Scotch styles popular at the time. Named after the famous 19th-century tea clipper ship, Cutty Sark became one of the most popular Scotch whiskies in the United States during and after Prohibition, in part because its pale, light style was less likely to be confused with bootleg spirits.

The blend is built around lighter Speyside malts and grain whiskies to produce the clean, accessible character that defined the brand's original positioning. The Original is the core everyday expression at 40% ABV. Prohibition Edition is bottled at the higher 50% ABV that whisky was commonly shipped at during Prohibition — a nod to the brand's historical connection to that era. Tam O'Shanter is a premium blended malt expression drawing on aged malt whiskies for more depth and complexity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Cutty Sark so popular during Prohibition?

Cutty Sark was launched in 1923 specifically targeting the US market at a time when Prohibition (1920–1933) had eliminated legal domestic spirits. Its light color and clean flavor profile made it easier to distinguish from counterfeit and low-quality bootleg spirits, which were often dark, harsh, or adulterated. Importers and distributors who found ways to bring legitimate Scotch into the US during Prohibition specifically sought lighter-colored whiskies because American consumers had learned to associate pale color with quality and authenticity. After Prohibition ended, Cutty Sark's established reputation in the US market helped it become one of the country's best-selling imported Scotch brands through the mid-20th century.