Highland whisky distillery blends tradition with transformat…

New independent bottler One Cask at a Time has launched with quite an intriguing proposition – six single cask releases that blend traditional whisky craftsmanship with some seriously clever tech. Each bottle comes with a contactless “Bottle Passport” feature – just tap the neck with your smartphone and you’ll unlock the full story of that particular cask, from fill date to bottling.

Russell Bradley, their Head of Brand Development, emphasizes they’re only selecting exceptional quality casks, which is reassuring in today’s crowded IB market. What’s clever here is how they’ve structured their offering across three distinct series, each targeting different segments of the market.

The **Chronograph** series sits at the accessible end – think characterful discoveries without breaking the bank. Their Ben Nevis 2012 (56.1%, £89) sounds like solid value for an 11-year-old at cask strength, offering clean pear and caramel notes. The Glentauchers 2009 (56.9%, £115) brings that classic Speyside ester profile with bubble-gum and pear drops – definitely one for fruit-forward fans.

**Pendulum** steps things up with serious age statements. The standout here is an Auchentoshan 1998 (59.5%, £375) – 26 years of Lowland maturation delivering fresh citrus and tropical notes. Not cheap, but the ABV and age suggest they haven’t over-oaked it.

The **Grandfather** collection is where things get properly premium. A 30-year-old Ledaig 1993 (42.3%, £599) showcasing that maritime Tobermory character, plus an award-winning Aultmore 1990 (43.8%, £675) that’s picked up both IWSC Silver and Scotch Whisky Masters Gold. The Highland Park 1996 (43.4%, £699) has also earned serious recognition – IWSC Silver and Master status.

The tech integration is genuinely interesting rather than gimmicky. Beyond authentication, the digital passport includes expert tasting notes (video notes for Grandfather releases) and lets you build your own collection database. It’s a smart way to engage younger whisky enthusiasts while respecting the liquid’s heritage.

Bottles are available directly through their website, and with production numbers ranging from 74 to 307 bottles per release, these won’t hang around long if the quality matches the promise.