Brand
Crabbie
Crabbie (John Crabbie & Co) is a historic Scottish brand of whisky and spirits, now part of the Halewood / Halewood Artisanal Spirits group. It offers both bottles produced from purchased spirits (e.g. expressions designed for mixing) and releases from small experimental on-site distilleries in limited runs.
- Leith / Edinburgh · Scotland · United Kingdom
- Since 1801
- 1 product
The story
Origins date to John Crabbie's activity in Leith (Edinburgh), with the brand tracing its history to 1801. Historically known for ginger wine and whisky trading, the modern marque is managed within the Halewood group; in recent years John Crabbie & Co has relaunched a range of single malts (including releases from experimental in-house distilleries such as Chain Pier and the Bonnington project) as well as bought-in expressions bottled under the Crabbie name.
Production philosophy
Combine local heritage with accessible products and contemporary drinking occasions: the range includes both niche aged whiskies and single cask bottlings as well as NAS (no-age-statement) expressions intended for mixing or serving over ice, with a focus on drinkability and versatility.
Territory
Historic origin in Leith (Edinburgh). Production and sourcing in Scotland; the brand is part of a group with production and commercial activities in the United Kingdom.
Awards and recognition
Some expressions have received awards/recognition (for example the official site mentions a Double Gold at the San Francisco Spirits Awards 2019 for an 8 Year Old and IWSC recognitions for other releases).
Production method
The brand uses both spirit purchased from third-party distilleries (for some expressions such as Yardhead) and spirits produced in its experimental/owned facilities (e.g. Chain Pier as a micro-distillery and later Bonnington-related projects). Some releases are distilled in copper pot stills (in-house productions), while others are sourced single malts bottled under the brand.
Distillation
For in-house productions: copper pot stills (pot still). The brand also uses purchased spirit from third-party distilleries for some expressions.
Ageing
Aging in oak casks; the range includes expressions matured in ex-bourbon, sherry butts and other woods/finishes depending on the release; there are also NAS expressions designed for mixing.
Characteristics
- Type
- Brand
- City
- Leith / Edinburgh
- Categories
- Scottish whisky
- single malt
- blended scotch
- single cask
- whisky for mixing
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- water
- yeast
- Casks and ageing vessels
- ex-bourbon
- sherry (Pedro Ximenez / sherry butts)
- virgin American oak
- Ruby Port cask
- Representative products
- Whisky Single Malt Yardhead 70cl
- Chain Pier — Inaugural Release (Chain Pier single cask)
- Crabbie 8 Year Old (Highland)
- Crabbie 12 Year Old (Speyside)
- Crabbie 30 Year Old (Speyside)
What makes it distinctive
- Historic brand rooted in Leith (Edinburgh) dating to 1801.
- Yardhead: NAS single malt designed for mixing, bottled at 40% ABV.
- Development of experimental/local distilleries: Chain Pier (pilot) and the Bonnington project in Leith.
- Range spans inexpensive, mixable releases to single cask and premium aged bottles.