The owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society adds to its portfolio of brands offering exceptional single-cask and limited-edition whiskies.
The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc, the creator of outstanding, one-of-a-kind whisky and experiences around the world, and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has acquired US-based independent bottling brand, Single Cask Nation.
Single Cask Nation, which was founded in 2011 by Jason Johnstone-Yellin and Joshua Hatton, joins ASC’s family of brands alongside the SMWS and J.G. Thomson & Co.
The acquisition is driven by ASC’s ambition to expand its portfolio of exceptional quality brands which are aimed at a growing global community of discerning whisky and craft spirits consumers. Single Cask Nation sources, curates and bottles rare single-cask and limited-edition whiskies and other spirits for sale both online and through specialty on- and off-premise accounts in eight markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Israel and Canada. Today, Single Cask Nation has an audience of over 10,000 whisky drinkers across the globe, with the US being the largest market for the business.
The move will not impact on the operations of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society which will continue to deliver exceptional Scotch whisky experiences for its members. Johnstone-Yellin and Hatton will continue to run Single Cask Nation as a distinct business within the ASC group. Whisky industry veteran Steve Hawley, president of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and former VP Global Marketing for Westland Distillery in Seattle, has also joined ASC’s team and will work closely with Single Cask Nation to provide strategic and tactical support.
Andrew Dane, CEO of ASC, commented: "We are thrilled to welcome Single Cask Nation to our family of brands at Artisanal Spirits Company, alongside The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and J.G. Thomson & Co.
“This acquisition aligns with our ambition to thoughtfully expand the portfolio while staying true to our core mission to captivate a global community of whisky adventurers with rare and exceptional bottlings.
“This is also very much an investment in Jason and Joshua themselves who have cultivated a global following and stellar reputation as thought leaders in the world of whisky. They will both add a tremendous wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to our business and we’re looking forward to welcoming them and their followers to the family.”
Single Cask Nation’s co-founder Johnstone-Yellin said: “In a way, by joining Artisanal Spirits Company we’re coming full-circle in our whisky journey. It was actually The Scotch Malt Whisky Society that first inspired us to start an independent bottling business in the first place. We’ve admired them (and their whiskies) for years, so to be a sister brand to them now is pretty wild.”
Co-founder Hatton added: “Jason and I have certainly never been short on ideas. With the resources and wealth of experience to draw from at Artisanal Spirits Company, we’ll now be able to bring those ideas to life and more incredible whisky to the Nation. I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s coming next.
ABOUT SINGLE CASK NATION
Founded in 2011 by Jason Johnstone-Yellin and Joshua Hatton, Single Cask Nation sources, curates
and bottles rare single-cask and limited-edition whiskies and other spirits for sale both online and
through specialty on- and off-premise accounts in eight markets including the United States, United
Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Israel and Canada. Today, Single Cask Nation counts over 10,000
followers across the globe. To learn more about Single Cask Nation, visit
www.singlecasknation.com or follow on social @singlecasknation.
ABOUT THE ARTISANAL SPIRITS COMPANY
ASC’s purpose is to captivate a global community of whisky adventurers, creating and selling
outstanding, one-of-a-kind whisky and experiences around the world with an ambition to create a high
quality, highly profitable and cash generative, premium global business.
Based in Edinburgh, ASC owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), Single Cask Nation (SCN) and J.G. Thomson (JGT), as well as operating a cask storage, bottling and logistics facility in Scotland. Owning over 17,000 casks primarily comprising Single Malt Scotch Whisky, ASC’s stock includes outstanding whisky (and other spirits) from 150 different distilleries across 20 countries which is sold both as individual bottles and whole casks.
Established in 1983, SMWS currently has a growing worldwide membership of over 40,000 paying members. With an established global presence in c.30 countries, SMWS operates a direct-to-consumer model (90% of revenue) primarily through e-commerce, in addition to four member rooms in the UK. SMWS provides members with inspiring experiences, content and exclusive access to a vast and unique range of outstanding, expertly curated, single cask Scotch malt whiskies.
In January 2024, ASC acquired SCN which sources, curates and bottles single-cask whiskies and other spirits selling both online and via traditional retail channels to its following of over 10,000 whisky enthusiasts in the US. SCN also retails to international markets including the UK, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Israel and Canada.
Launched in the UK in late 2021, JGT has a focus on outstanding small batch blended malt whiskies and other spirits, available both through direct-to-consumer online sales and through traditional retail channels. The award-winning brand has subsequently expanded into international markets.
With proven e-commerce reach and a growing family of brands, ASC is building a portfolio of limited-edition and small-batch whisky and other spirits brands for a global movement of discerning consumers - delivering revenue of c.£23 million in FY23 with over 80% of revenue generated online, predominantly from outside the UK, with presence in the other key global whisky markets including USA, China, Europe, Japan, Australia and Taiwan.
ASC has a pioneering business model, a substantial and growing addressable market presenting a long-term global growth opportunity and a strong and resilient business primed to deliver growth.
For more information about the Society, visit: https://smws.com/, Twitter:@SMWSUK Facebook:@thesmwsuk Instagram:@smws_uk