The independent bottling market continues to evolve, and one of the latest entrants is looking to challenge one of whisky’s biggest barriers to exploration: the cost of buying a full-sized bottle.
New Stirling-based independent bottler HIP has officially launched with a debut collection of whiskies and rum packaged in distinctive 20cl flask-style bottles. The concept is simple but refreshing. Rather than asking enthusiasts to commit £60, £80 or even hundreds of pounds to an unfamiliar bottle, HIP offers smaller formats designed to encourage exploration without the financial risk.
A Different Approach to Discovery
Founded by Connor McCartney and supported by the team at Kilninian Drinks Company, HIP’s philosophy centres around making premium spirits more approachable.
The brand bottles small batches from carefully selected casks, with every release presented at natural colour and without chill filtration. While the bottles may be smaller than the industry norm, the production standards remain firmly in line with what enthusiasts expect from independent bottlers.
Connor McCartney explains the thinking behind the project:
“HIP is about drinking better, not bigger. 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.”
For many whisky drinkers, this addresses a familiar dilemma. There are more independent bottlings available than ever before, but trying something new often requires a significant investment. Although festivals, bars and tasting events help bridge that gap, they are not always accessible. A 20cl bottle offers enough spirit for several drams while remaining considerably more affordable than a full bottle.
The Debut Collection
HIP launches with four inaugural releases spanning both whisky and rum:
- Tomintoul 12 Year Old matured in a refill sherry butt (46% ABV)
- Bowmore 13 Year Old matured in refill bourbon barrels (46% ABV)
- Invergordon 28 Year Old matured in a first-fill bourbon barrel (46% ABV)
- Foursquare Barbados Rum 14 Year Old matured in bourbon barrels (53% ABV)
Each release will retail at £19.50, positioning them as an accessible way to experience mature spirits that would typically command much higher prices in standard 70cl bottles.
The inclusion of both single malt and single grain Scotch alongside a respected Barbados rum also demonstrates that HIP intends to appeal to curious spirits enthusiasts rather than focusing solely on traditional whisky drinkers.
More Than Just Smaller Bottles
The 20cl format is not entirely new to the whisky world, but it remains relatively uncommon among independent bottlers. Traditionally associated with travel retail or gift packs, smaller bottles have often been overlooked despite offering a practical way to sample premium spirits.
As whisky prices continue to rise, particularly for well-aged releases, smaller formats could become increasingly attractive to collectors and casual enthusiasts alike. Rather than replacing full-sized bottles, they offer another way to discover new distilleries, compare cask styles and explore different flavour profiles before investing in larger purchases.
Connor believes the packaging reflects that philosophy:
“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.”
The Cask Connoisseur’s View
Independent bottlers have long played an important role in showcasing distilleries from a different perspective, often highlighting casks and flavour profiles that official releases never reach. What makes HIP stand out is not necessarily what is inside the bottle, but how those spirits are being presented.
At under £20 per bottle, the range lowers the barrier to trying mature whisky without compromising on quality credentials such as natural colour and non-chill filtration. For enthusiasts building tasting flights, exploring unfamiliar distilleries or simply wanting to broaden their horizons, the concept has genuine appeal.
Whether the model proves successful will depend on the quality of future cask selections, but HIP has certainly entered the market with a distinctive proposition. At a time when premium whisky can feel increasingly expensive, making exploration more accessible is an idea many drinkers are likely to welcome.
