Meet the brand disrupting the whisky market, one rare cask at a time
New independent whisky bottler, One Cask at a Time, has a collection of six single cask whiskies consisting exclusively of rare finds and hidden gems…
Good things come to those who wait — but better things come to those who seek them out. The debut of new independent whisky bottler, One Cask at a Time, serves as a reminder of this, with the brand’s collection of six single cask whiskies consisting exclusively of rare finds and hidden gems; a half-dozen ultra-scarce spirits sourced from distilleries across Scotland. And Gentleman’s Journal recently travelled northwards to East Lothian to discover which treasures made the cut.
At the grand Gosford House just outside Edinburgh, a party of whisky experts and enthusiasts gathered to celebrate One Cask at a Time. In the suitably historic surroundings of the mansion’s magnificent two-tier Marble Hall, whiskies were sampled among Edwardian-era artworks and, perhaps most notably, one of Britain’s largest private clock collections. This preoccupation with time is reflected in the amber drams themselves — the brand’s six expressions are divided into three series, each of which owes its name to a particular horological instrument: Chronograph, Pendulum, and Grandfather.
But whisky’s relationship with time ticks back even further, to before Gosford House even stood. Between tastings, we’re told that the first ever reference to whisky appeared in the 1494 writings of a friar from Fife and that, the very same year, Leonardo da Vinci sketched his initial plans for the first ever pendulum. This keen historical scrutiny and accurate time-stamping has been key to the fledgling success of One Cask at a Time. With access to rare casks from some of Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries, the team behind the bottlings has selected only the very best, and the resulting range offers something for every drinker — whether you’re after a soft, smooth Lowland malt, a fuller, fruity Speyside, or something smoky and robust from the Western Isles.
Naturally, with all the necessary sampling and scoping out, the endeavour has been a true team effort. Russell Bradley, who was instrumental in the formation of another rare whisky inventory brand — House of Hazelwood — has been entrusted with leading brand development. Charlie McClure, formerly of William Grant & Sons, is the brand’s cask management expert. And Alex Fiddock blends his deep industry knowledge with a story-led marketing strategy to infuse every one of the whiskies with the character and personality it deserves. The venture has also been backed by the country’s most established whisky broker of 15 years, not to mention the Spears 500-listed VCL Vintners.
“Only casks of exceptional quality have been chosen for bottling under the One Cask at a Time label,” Bradley explains of building such an exclusive library of whiskies. “A testament to the art of whisky making and a tribute to the role time has to play in transforming a whisky, each cask has been hand-selected for its unique qualities — bottling a moment in time to share with the world”.
“A testament to the art of whisky making…”
Meticulously monitored, casks will only be chosen for bottling when the brand deems them to be of undeniably exceptional quality. Of the six whiskies currently available, the largest run is a mere 307 bottles (the Chronograph Ben Nevis 2012). This entry-level collection also includes a mild Glentauchers 2009 (271 bottles available), a 15-year-old whisky with unexpected notes of bubblegum, pear drops and a fruit pastille finish. It’s one of several sampled by Gentleman’s Journal: playful on the palette, but seriously good.
The sole bottle in the mid-range Pendulum collection comes from Auchentoshan — and a previous millennium. 26 long years old, it brims with pineapple and melon, swirled through with butterscotch. But it’s the Grandfather collection that tolls with the deepest, most full-bodied flavours. This top-shelf trio has also made the most noise in the wider whisky world: the 1990 Aultmore and 1996 Highland Park both won Silver Medals at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition, after both also scooping awards at The Global Scotch Whisky Masters.
It’s a resounding success, but our favourite of the Grandfather collection is the Ledaig 1993. With every sip, its flavours change with chiming precision, beginning with cut grass and coastal salinity, before warm woods and light caramel, then a delicate wildflower finish. It’s proof — if it were needed — that, in whisky, three decades is time worth waiting.
And, like the grandfather clocks that stand stoically in Gosford House, each bottle is presented in a handsome wooden box, the design of which changes subtly across collections. Yet the dark grain, bronze accents, and fluted detailing they share all reference these antique clocks, and serve to further reinforce One Cask at a Time as a fresh, unique voice in whisky.
“We’re here to add something new to the world of whisky for the next generation,” says Bradley of the brand’s progressive ethos. “The contactless [NFC] icon on the bottle neck also allows owners to instantly verify the authenticity of their purchase, taking them to the app where they can learn about every aspect of the bottle and the liquid it contains.”
While the age statements and tireless scouring of Scotland may be impressive, the ‘Bottle Passport’ may be the most exciting part of the One Cask at a Time experience. Introducing modern technology to an age-old industry, the app allows collectors to read up on the details of their chosen bottle, but also gives access to exclusive content including comprehensive cask information, whisky history, and tasting notes. For the Grandfather collection, there are even personalised tasting videos from eminent whisky writer Charles MacLean.
Charles MacLean
This tech-meets-tradition approach is refreshing to see, especially in an industry so steeped in, and often stymied by, its own conventions. But time is an essential ingredient in whisky-making, so it makes sense for brands to adapt to them as they change. As a result, whether you’re enjoying an expert-led tasting at Gosford House, or pouring at home decades down the line, the One Cask at a Time experience will be the same — thanks to both these whiskies’ assured quality and the innovative, interactive app.
“We very much look to the future,” Bradley reiterates, “but it’s important to know that, without the hands of time, good whisky can never become exceptional.”
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