It's good to see you
We're TopWhiskies
TopWhiskies was founded by whisky enthusiasts, for fellow whisky enthusiasts. We're an independent store who specialise in independent whisky brands. We stock over 50 of the best indie bottlers, as well as a dozen top artisan distilleries.
"Almost unparalleled range of carefully curated quality whiskies. TopWhiskies is the right name for this store - it doesn't sell everything under the sun, but everything it does sell is top-notch stuff! Great customer service, knowledgable and helpful, and very prompt shipping. Nice one TW!"
Chris, UK
"I had the best experience working with Ed and his team. Ed has an extensive knowledge in the world of whisky and was able to recommend a selection of bottles for me based on the nuances of my taste. He was very quick and thorough in his email responses and I was extremely happy with what he recommended."
Max, US
"My experience of TopWhiskies has been superb. They have such an interesting portfolio and are incredible whisky experts. I found the service highly professional and I am now a very loyal TopWhiskes fan. Highly recommended."
Lisa, UK
"Ed and his team could not have been better to deal with. He answered every concern I had in a prompt and informed way. I could not be more impressed with how the bottles have been packaged & presented. A gift for the true whisky lover and a business I can’t recommend highly enough."
Robert, Australia
"I contacted TopWhiskies some time ago in relation to a few bottles that I had seen on their site. They were competitively priced and seemed to have an array of wonderful bottles. Speaking to Ed, I soon found that not only did he know his stuff, but he was welcoming to the fact that I know very little. You get timely and informative updates and deliveries are prompt with great packaging."
Tristan, UK
Shop our favourite indie bottlers
What is an independent bottler?
At TopWhiskies, we're passionate about independent bottlers. These small, artisan brands, often family businesses, are at the heart of what we do. But what exactly is an independent bottler?
Put simply, independent bottlers buy casks from distilleries and bottle the whisky themselves. They focus on quality over quantity, often producing single cask or small-batch craft whiskies. Using their expertise, and often decades of experience, they enhance traditional single malt scotch whisky with unique flavours, experimenting with maturation times, cask sizes, and finishes. They typically bottle at cask strength, avoiding chill-filtration and artificial colouring, ensuring you experience the whisky in its natural, authentic form.
Independent whisky is the real deal, and that's why we love it.
To delve deeper, explore our directory of independent whisky bottlers. It provides a comprehensive guide to all the brands we feature and many more. And if you've caught the whisky bug, why not try your hand at bottling your own whisky? Our five-step guide walks you through the process, from selecting the perfect cask to designing your label. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or new to the world of whisky, there's something for everyone to learn.
Join us as we journey into the world of independent whisky. You'll never look back.
What is single cask whisky?
Single cask whisky is bottled from one individual cask. It's a unique, limited edition, and often top quality whisky.
All single malt scotch whisky must age in oak casks for at least three years to be considered whisky. However, each individual cask of whisky is unique. Even if two casks from the same distillery were filled at the same time, in the same type of cask, next to each other in the dunnage warehouse, and aged for the same amount of time, they would still be different.
A typical bottle of whisky from a distillery is a combination of casks. This process allows the distillery to maintain consistency, especially in its core releases. They mix different casks together to ensure the whisky they bottle all tastes the same.
In contrast, single cask whisky is unique and always a limited release. It may represent the epitome of a distillery's style or offer a glimpse into its more unconventional side. Alternatively, an independent bottler may have refined the flavors through careful re-racking and finishing to create something special and distinct. Regardless, once a single cask whisky is gone, it's gone. That’s part of the fun.
When it comes to selecting a single cask whisky, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the type of cask used significantly influences the flavour profile of the whisky. Common types include bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and port pipes. Additionally, the age of the whisky and the region where it was distilled play key roles in determining its characteristics. Some regions, such as Islay, are known for their peaty and smoky whiskies, while others, like Speyside, produce lighter and fruitier expressions.
Check out our selection of single cask whiskies today and find something special.
What does cask strength mean?
Cask strength whisky is bottled at the natural alcohol strength at which it’s drawn from the cask, without any added water. Distilleries typically add water to most whiskies to reduce the alcohol percentage before bottling, helping them maintain consistency.
With cask strength whisky, no water is added or taken away. It's natural, straight from the cask. One of the benefits of cask strength whisky is that you decide how you want it to taste. You can add a little water, a lot of water, or enjoy it neat. This control allows you to tailor your whisky experience, creating truly great drams. If you need help, check out our calculator.
Cask strength whiskies offer a unique and intense flavour experience. Because they're bottled at higher alcohol percentages, they often retain more of the distillery's original character and depth. The absence of dilution means that every drop is packed with flavour and aroma, delivering full-bodied, maximum taste.
At TopWhiskies, we believe the best whiskies tend to be high in alcohol by volume (ABV). That's why most of the whisky on our site is either cask strength or high ABV.
When choosing a cask strength whisky, think about the style of whisky you’d normally go for. It’ll simply be an amped-up version of that. From the peaty smokiness of Islay to the smooth and fruity notes of Speyside, there's a cask strength whisky to suit every palate.
Check out our extensive range of cask strength whiskies today, and find your new flavour bomb.
Finding the best whiskies
We love whisky. From joining a local whisky club in York years ago, we've loved both whisky and the sense of community that lies around it. Its ability to bring people together, to spark conversations, and to bring joy.
TopWhiskies started initially on social media in 2016 as a whisky blog. We posted photos of whiskies we liked, wrote reviews, and shared the stories behind them. As we explored the world of whisky further, we were drawn to independent bottlers. We loved the passion these small, often family-run businesses poured into everything they did, and the focus and attention they gave to every single whisky.
We created TopWhiskies.com as it exists today, a specialist online shop, in 2019 to celebrate these small artisan brands. Our mission is to showcase their great work and the delicious whiskies they produce. While many of the whiskies we feature are scotch, we also offer a diverse selection from England, Ireland, some bourbons, and a few from Europe. Our range encompasses various styles, from single malts to single grains, from single casks to small batch whisky, and from bourbon casks, through sherry butts, to port pipes. There's something for everyone. And whatever you choose, you can be sure each bottle will be packed with flavour - and love.
Explore our range of unique whiskies from independent brands and choose a special dram today. And if you need help selecting the best whisky for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're always happy to provide whisky recommendations.