New Nc’nean Cask Trade bottling celebrates Scottish craftsmanship through whisky and tartan

A new collaboration pairs Scotland’s national drink with one of its oldest design traditions.

Whisky and tartan have long travelled together. Now, Cask Trade and celebrated Scottish designer Siobhan Mackenzie have brought the two together in a limited-edition single cask release that celebrates the country’s enduring craftsmanship through a contemporary lens.

The collaboration marks the debut of the Cask Trade Tartan, an original design created exclusively by Mackenzie, and officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans.  

Wrapped around a rare single cask bottling from Nc’nean Distillery, the release brings together two distinctly Scottish crafts. One begins on the loom, the other in the stillhouse.  

For Cask Trade, the project represents more than the launch of another exclusive bottling.

Myriam Mackenzie, of Cask Trade, said: “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’s about showing that Scottish heritage is a living tradition, shaped by collaboration, creativity and the people carrying it forward today.”

The collaboration marks the debut of the Cask Trade Tartan, an original design officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans…

The story behind Cask Trade’s tartan whisky

Designer Siobhan Mackenzie has earned an international reputation for reimagining Highland dress for a modern audience. Her bespoke tartan for Cask Trade draws on the company’s signature palette of rich purple and gold, while weaving another layer of meaning into the design. The thread count discreetly references the company’s founding year, 2018, embedding its history directly into the fabric.

“For me, there’s a lot of synergy between my brand and what Cask Trade is doing,” Mackenzie said. “It’s something different and innovative within a very traditional industry, and I really like that alignment.

“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, particularly as this is my first whisky bottle design.”

Since launching her label, Mackenzie has become one of Scotland’s most recognised contemporary designers. Her clients include Justin Bieber, Sam Heughan, Alan Cumming, for his appearances on the American version of The Traitors, Jared Leto and Shania Twain.

Mackenzie has also played a significant role in Scotland’s sporting identity, designing the official Team Scotland Opening Ceremony uniforms for the 2018, 2022 and 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Siobhan Mackenzie x Cask Trade whisky tasting notes

For this project, Cask Trade selected an eight-year-old single cask from Nc’nean, the pioneering organic distillery overlooking the rugged coastline of the Morvern Peninsula in the western Highlands. Distilled in 2018 and matured in a shaved, toasted and re-charred (STR) red wine cask, the liquid has spent eight years developing layers of fruit, spice and gentle oak before being bottled at its natural cask strength of 54.5% ABV.

Only 306 bottles have been drawn.

In the glass, the designer dram is said to open with aromas of ripe apricot, crisp apple and citrus oil, supported by red berries, honey and gentle spice. The palate develops into dried apricot and baked apple alongside vanilla fudge, baking spices and cracked black pepper, with flashes of citrus, honey and sweet oak adding depth. The finish is long and softly warming, leaving lingering notes of sweet oak, honey and spice.

Distillery founder Annabel Thomas said: “I’m honoured that Nc’nean 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 limited-edition Cask Trade bottling is priced at £65, and is available here.