Search
Close this search box.

Sourced Whiskey Today: What’s New with NDPs

WhistlePig 15 Year Old Vermont Estate Oak Rye
WhistlePig 15 is a sourced whiskey made in Canada and finished in Vermont oak

Non-distiller producers (sometimes called independent bottlers, NDPs, or “indie bottlers”) have been a part of the whiskey industry since the very beginning. But in the United States, sellers of sourced whiskey are still fighting for legitimacy, especially in the aftermath of several high-profile stories exposing a handful of producers who’d obfuscated the fact that their products were made by other distilleries rather than distilled in-house.

First, a bit of history: in Scotland, indie bottlers have played a key role in the whisky industry for generations. They served as a key outlet for off-spec whisky from single malt distilleries, and bought up surplus stocks during down markets or after distilleries closed or merged. Some indie bottlers make blends, like Johnnie Walker or Compass Box, while others specialize in sourcing unusual stock to release in single-barrel editions. While Scottish indie bottlers don’t always reveal where their distillate comes from – in fact, many are prohibited from doing so – they’re pretty much always up-front about the fact they’re not running any stills themselves.

In the U.S., sourcing isn’t a new phenomenon. The big bourbon distilleries in Kentucky have been quietly selling stock sold under other brands for years. But it wasn’t until the recent whiskey boom that mainstream consumers started learning about the practice. We Americans love our authenticity, authentic or not, and the idea that their favorite bourbon might not actually be made by the brand on the front of the bottle rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

Yet the fact remains: there’s nothing inherently wrong with sourced whiskey, at least as long as the producer’s transparent about their strategy. After a few big, embarrassing class-action lawsuits, most (though not all) independent bottlers have come clean about their practices, with a few (High West and Barrell Craft Spirits come to mind) using their great sourcing or blending chops as a selling point.

For now, consumers seem to be starting to accept the fact that some whiskey brands just don’t have a distillery. Curious about your favorite? Check the back of the label. If it says “distilled by,” that’s a good indication it’s made in-house. Anything else, like “produced by” or “bottled by,” you’re likely holding a sourced product.

 

 

Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews