Whisky curation - the art of grouping and presenting whiskies in a meaningful way - is at the very heart of what we do as an independent bottler, guiding people through their journeys of whisky exploration. As for all whiskies selected in A. D. Rattray’s Cask Collection, the six casks chosen for our 74th release stand alone in terms of both quality and intrigue. But beyond meeting these individual criteria, each cask is selected for its contribution to the release as a whole.
Of course, there are several practical and financial reasons for grouping casks together in a release; maximising time with a print set-up and on a bottling line, as well as consolidating samples, communications and shipping. However, a carefully curated release is much more than just the sum of its parts, and may help to make Scotch whisky more accessible. Categorizing, grouping and sorting our whiskies is vital in helping potential whisky lovers enter and navigate the world of Scotch whisky, to explore different distilleries, regions, cask types, ages and flavour profiles. Alone, one cask is a singular piece in the puzzle, whilst the full gamut of Scotch whisky offers such variety and nuance that it may seem intimidating, or even impenetrable. DRCC74 serves as a cross-section of our whisky landscape, offering various points of reference to the curious consumer.
Whilst showcasing the great variety of whiskies produced throughout Scotland, the selection of Cask Collection No.74 is also an acknowledgement of what each cask shares; not simply the timing of their bottling and release, but the people involved and the values we embody. With each curation, we strive to present the best of A. D. Rattray, yet are mindful of the long-term impact of the decisions we make today. Put simply, these snapshots of our stocks, methodologies, and current trends, are a statement of who we are.
Now on our 74th release, the Cask Collection documents more than two decades of single casks from A. D. Rattray. These bottles are our story, the way we tell it best.
