Whisky and tartan are two of Scotland’s most enduring symbols. But what does Scottish craftsmanship and heritage look like when they have been reimagined by the people making them today? This is the question at the heart of a new creative partnership between Cask Trade, the leading cask whisky marketplace, and Siobhan Mackenzie, one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary fashion designers.
In a symbolic step, Cask Trade have registered its very own Cask Trade Tartan, driving a collaboration that aims to champion the influential women and craftsmanship at every stage of production. The tartan launch will be celebrated in the form of a limited-edition single cask whisky bottling from the Nc’nean distillery, proudly wrapped in the new pattern.
Cask Trade’s Myriam Mackenzie says of the new collaboration: “Unveiling the Cask Trade Tartan on a whisky bottle feels like a natural fit, but the project represents something bigger than tartan or packaging. For us, it is about showing that Scottish heritage is a living tradition, shaped by collaboration, creativity and the people carrying it forward today.”
THE COLLABORATION
The partnership championing female creatives in traditional industries sees a collaboration between Cask Trade and Siobhan Mackenzie to create an original tartan that brings together two distinct Scottish craft disciplines – whisky and fashion – united by a shared belief that heritage is most powerful when it is actively reimagined.
Siobhan Mackenzie has designed the Cask Trade Tartan – an original textile pattern created exclusively for this collaboration and debuting here as the bottle’s label. The tartan’s colour palette is drawn directly from the Cask Trade colours, with deep purple and gold as the dominant tones. The company’s founding year, 2018, is subtly embedded within the design through the tartan’s thread count, integrating brand heritage into the fabric itself. The tartan is lodged with the Scottish Register of Tartans.
Siobhan Mackenzie says: “For me, there’s a lot of synergy between my brand and what Cask Trade is doing. It’s something different and innovative within a very traditional industry, and I really like that alignment. I felt it was a great fit for my brand to work with Cask Trade, particularly as this is my first whisky bottle design.
“When I take on these kinds of projects, it has to be with the right partner, the right kind of design, and importantly, the right sentiment. I’m really happy with this collaboration and how all of these elements have come together.”
Cask Trade chose to showcase its tartan on a whisky bottle and identified and selected
the single cask at Nc’nean – an 8 Year Old STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) red wine
cask distilled in 2018, yielding just 306 bottles of single malt Scotch whisky at 54.5%, chosen for its fruity and inviting nose, balanced spicy and sweet palate, and soft note of oak. The selection was made to reflect Cask Trade’s commitment to finding liquid with a story as compelling as its flavour.
Nc’nean Distillery is Scotland’s first 100% organic whisky distillery, founded in 2017 by Annabel Thomas on the remote Morvern Peninsula. Nc’nean is verified net zero for scopes 1 and 2 and B Corp certified – a distillery that has consistently challenged convention and proven that exceptional whisky and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive.
Annabel Thomas comments: “I’m honoured that Nc’nean whisky was chosen to showcase this beautiful tartan and that we can together highlight the importance of the continued evolution of crafts deeply rooted in Scottish history.”
THE WHISKY
Distillery: Nc’nean, Drimnin, Morvern Peninsula, Scottish Highlands Batch No.: 89
Distilled: 2018 | Bottled: 2026 | Age: 8 years
Cask type: STR Red Wine Cask
ABV: 54.5%
Number of bottles: 306 bottles – single cask, not to be repeated
Label: Cask Trade Tartan, designed by Siobhan Mackenzie – original design, lodged with the Scottish Register of Tartans.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Fruity and inviting with apricot, apple, citrus oil, hints of red berries, honey, and gentle spice.
Palate: Dried apricot and apple lead into vanilla fudge, baking spice, and black pepper, balanced by flashes of citrus, honey, and sweet oak.
Finish: Sweet oak lingers as honey fades, giving way to baking spice, cracked black pepper, and a soft final note of oak.
RRP: £65 per bottle
Launch: June 25th 2026 – a limited number bottles are available to buy online here.
A percentage of profits generated from this collaboration will be donated to The Drinks Trust.
