New Stirling-based independent bottler HIP has unveiled its inaugural range of small-batch spirits, packaged in flask-style 20cl bottles. The debut collection features four releases spanning Scotch single malt, single grain, and Barbados rum, each priced at £19.50.
The brand was developed by Connor McCartney and is supported by the team at spirits distributor Kilninian Drinks Company.
HIP focuses on quality over quantity, bottling small-batch spirits drawn from a handful of carefully selected casks. Each release is natural color and non-chill filtered.
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READ THE STORYThe inaugural range includes a 12-year-old Tomintoul aged in a refill Sherry butt at 46% ABV, and a 13-year-old Bowmore aged in refill bourbon barrels, also at 46% ABV. It also features a 28-year-old Invergordon aged in a first-fill bourbon barrel at 46% ABV, and a 14-year-old Foursquare Barbados rum aged in bourbon barrels at 53% ABV.
“HIP is about drinking better, not bigger,” McCartney said. “We wanted to remove the barriers that stop people from actually satisfying their curiosity and exploring great spirits, so we created a brand that lets you take the plunge without breaking the bank.”
The launch combines two single malt whiskies, a single grain, and a rum, paired with what the brand describes as branding that is “short, sharp, and intentional.”
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“Everything at HIP is stripped back to what matters,” McCartney added. “Although our releases are pocket-sized, each small bottle is a door to discovery. We source and bottle with the same care and attention as traditional independents, the only difference is the format.”
Based in Stirling, HIP takes its name from both its flask-style bottles and its against-the-grain attitude. It aims to make premium spirits, particularly whisky, more explorable and approachable for a new generation of drinkers.
The brand was founded in 2026. It joins a growing number of independent bottlers targeting younger consumers through smaller formats and accessible pricing. The 20cl format has gained traction across the spirits sector in recent years. Smaller bottles allow drinkers to sample premium and aged expressions without committing to the higher cost of a full 70cl bottle.
