Cutty Sark Yellow Label Blended Scotch Whisky 37,5 cl 40%

Nobody keeps the half bottle. It gets drunk, packed in a bag or taken to the cabin — which is exactly why the old ones are hard to find in good condition.

Expert description

Cutty Sark Yellow Label is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 40% in a 37.5 cl bottle.

The yellow label has followed Cutty Sark since 1923, when the Scottish artist James McBey drew it for Berry Bros & Rudd's new blend. The half bottle format was made for travel, bars and gift sets, and for that reason very few were ever kept. The contents are the same pale, fruity blend of around twenty Speyside malts and grain whisky that made the bottle known worldwide.

Tasting notes

Nose

Pale and fresh. Grass, citrus and coconut, with vanilla and a trace of malt behind.

Palate

Light and soft. Vanilla, apple and cereal, with American oak and a mild spiced warmth. No edges, no smoke.

Finish

Short to medium, dry and fruity with a touch of oak.

Specifications

Name: Cutty Sark Yellow Label Blended Scotch Whisky 37,5 cl 40%
Distillery: Cutty Sark
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40 %
Size: 37.5 CL
Edition: Yellow Label
EAN no.: 5010493008785

Flavour profile

Light · Fresh · Vanilla · Fruity · Soft

Investment potential

Medium. Half bottles are rarely kept, so well-preserved examples with the old yellow label are less common than the corresponding full bottle.

Did you know?

James McBey, who drew the label, was a respected Scottish etcher and war artist. The vivid yellow is said to be down to a misunderstanding at the printer — it was meant to be more muted, but Berry Bros decided to keep it.

See our full range of Cutty Sark Whisky

Frequently asked questions about Cutty Sark Yellow Label 37.5 cl

What is the difference between the half bottle and the full one?

None as far as the contents go. It is the same blend in a smaller format, originally made for travel, bars and gift sets.

Why is the yellow label so famous?

Because it was drawn by the Scottish artist James McBey in 1923 and has never really changed. The combination of pale whisky and a vivid yellow label made the bottle instantly recognisable.

Is it worth keeping?

Half bottles are rarely saved, so well-preserved examples are less common than the full bottle. That makes them interesting to collectors who chase complete format sets.

How is it best enjoyed?

Neat, with ice or in a highball. At 40% it is light enough that a lot of water dilutes it — use a single large cube instead.

What is a blended Scotch?

A mixture of malt whisky and grain whisky from several distilleries. See the full selection in our Blended Scotch Whisky.

Does it work as a gift?

The format is well suited to a small present or as part of a package. It is easy to approach and needs no explaining, which makes it safe to pass on.