The name “CUTTY SARK” was adopted from Tam O’Shanter, the work of a Scottish writer from the 18th century. A farmer named Tam lived in Scotland around the middle of the 18th century. One stormy night, he was heading home on his horse after getting pleasantly drunk. Upon passing a cemetery near the church on his way home, he heard the sound of a roaring bag pipe; curious, he steered his horse toward the sound. When he reached the source of the sound, he saw a few old and ugly witches dancing. At that moment, a young and beautiful witch wearing a short underskirt started to dance behind one of the tombs. Tam was so impressed; as the dance of the young witch reached the peak, he couldn’t help but shout, “The great CUTTY SARK (short underskirt)!” Lightning struck immediately and thunder filled the air, making the witches so angry that they started to run after Tam. At that time, legend has it that anyone caught by witches will be a witch slave forever. Thus, Tam desperately drove his horse toward the river, remembering that no witch can cross the running water. He and his horse went into the river to cross it just as the witches caught him by his horse’s tail, but he and his horse eventually crossed the river sans the horse’s tail. From then on, the name CUTTY SARK conjured images of a “beautiful witch and the fast pace of witches.” Today, it is known as the world’s famous Scotch whiskey.
As the most successful scotch whiskey brand in the world, CUTTY SARK sells 2 million boxes every year. It is the leading product in many countries including Japan, USA, Puerto Rico, Greece, and Portugal. CUTTY SARK is quickly developing new markets in many other countries as well.
Exclusive Ownership
- As the owner of this brand, Berry Bros & Rudd started producing wines and whiskeys at St. James Street in London, England 300 years ago. The alcoholic beverage business of Berry Bros & Rudd has been handed down as a family business, supplying wines and other alcoholic beverages to the Royal family of England since 1760.
Name
- CUTTY SARK is named from the fast and famous 19th century ship that is now part of a collection in Greenwich, London. Its name, which is short for underskirt in Scottish, came from “Tam O’Shanter,” the famous poem written by the equally famous Scottish poet Robert Burns.
Unique Yellow Label
- The ship on the CUTTY SARK label also appears on the gift package and box. The bright yellow color of CUTTY SARK easily stands out in bars, wholesale stores, retail stores, and department stores. The same label drawn for the first time in the 1920’s is still used today; interestingly, it is written in Scottish as ”Scots” instead of “Scotch.”
Outstanding Quality
- For many centuries now, Berry Bros & Rudd has sustained their business by coming up with their own line of wines and liquors. Only carefully selected, undiluted whiskey solutions make the cut to produce CUTTY SARK; they are then transferred to the barrel after they are blended and ripened through the “Marrying” process for that deep, smooth taste.
Smooth Taste
- Only carefully selected individual malt whiskeys are blended to make CUTTY SARK; its special smooth and clean taste and rich aroma earn raves among scotch whiskey lovers in many countries worldwide.
