Frequently Asked Questions

Wm Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, founded in Aberdeen in 1842 and based in Campbeltown since 1972. We purchase casks from distilleries, mature them in our own warehouses, and bottle them under our own name. Read our history.

Yes. Cadenhead’s and Springbank Distillery share a parent company, J & A Mitchell & Co Ltd, which bought Cadenhead’s in 1972. J & A Mitchell also owns Glengyle Distillery. We bottle spirits from distilleries all over the world, not just Campbeltown.

Our warehouses and bottling hall are in Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll. We also have shops in Campbeltown, Edinburgh and London. Visit us.

Entirely up to you, and with a cask strength bottling it is worth trying both. A few drops will open up the nose and soften the alcohol. There is no correct answer, only the one you prefer.

You may have one of our Enigma bottlings. For various reasons we may not put the distillery name on the label so we created the Enigma range. The label still carries lots of information: strength, cask type, region, and an age or vintage. You can also use each bottle’s Enigma Code to keep track of our bottlings – and maybe crack the code! More about Enigma.

That’s like asking how long is a piece of string.

For an individual bottling, it depends entirely on the cask(s). A single cask might give a few hundred bottles, sometimes far fewer. For bottlings involving multiple casks, you will usually get more bottles.

Each of our Authentic or Original releases will contain multiple bottlings (usually between 6-8), each with varying number of bottles.

When the casks are emptied and bottles filled, that bottling is gone for good.

Upright, out of direct sunlight, somewhere that does not get warm. Unlike wine, spirits do not keep maturing in the bottle.

From this website, from our shops in Campbeltown, Edinburgh and London, and from stockists around the world.

We ship across the UK and to much of Europe, and to selected states in the USA and to Alberta in Canada, as well as a small number of countries elsewhere. The full list, with prices, is on the shipping policy.

UK orders usually arrive within 3 to 5 working days, international orders usually within 14. Every order is tracked and we email the tracking number when it leaves us.

Please note, we work with external partners to help us ship our products, so we are not in control of every part of the process. Therefore, there may be delays outside our control.

Yes. Someone aged 18 or over has to receive the parcel, and the driver may ask for ID. We cannot leave alcohol in a safe place or with a neighbour.

Orders outside the UK are sold without UK VAT, and local duties and taxes are paid on arrival. The USA is the exception: those are paid at checkout. Full detail on the shipping policy.

Yes, within the period set out in our returns policy, as long as it is unopened and in its original condition. Faulty or damaged bottles are replaced (when possible) or refunded.

Some releases are a few hundred bottles worldwide, and popular ones go in minutes. Joining the Cadenhead’s Club gets you earlier notice.

We are not able to value bottles. For a valuation we would suggest approaching a specialist auction house.

Our membership opportunity. For a one-off payment of £75 for life, members hear about new releases about a week before everyone else, can buy Club-only bottlings, and get two free tastings (either  warehouse tastings in Campbeltown or London shop tastings) a year, for life. More about the Club.

£75, paid once. Membership lasts for life and there is nothing to renew.

Amongst other benefits, Club members receive:

– Two free tastings per year (in Campbeltown or London).

– Around a week’s notice of new releases before anyone else.

– Access to Club exclusive bottlings and tastings

Other benefits can and will vary, but in the past have included Club exclusive tastings at the Campbeltown Malts Festival, access to Club tastings internationally and early access to event tickets.

Generally around a week before the general public – and approximately 2 weeks before the bottles appear in store – although this can vary depending on our bottling schedule, release schedule and delivery timeframes.

Campbeltown, Edinburgh and London. Addresses and opening hours are on Visit Us.

Yes. We have tasting experiences available in both our Campbeltown and London shops. See what’s on.

Our Edinburgh shop often take part in tastings outside the shop, please contact them directly for more info.

Booking ahead is strongly recommended, as tastings often sell out. Details and booking are on the tasting pages.

Yes. You can nose everything, and we will give you a drivers dram pack to enjoy once you are home. We operate a zero tolerance policy on drinking and driving.

If you are not taking part at all – you are simply acompanying someone else on the tasting and have not paid to be there – you may be allowed to attend and listen as long as there is enough space. Priority will be given to paying customers.