From cask broker to bottler: the story of Duncan Taylor
Almost ninety years ago, Duncan Taylor started out not as a bottler, but as a cask trader in Glasgow. It was only decades later, when a former distillery employee took over the company and brought it to his hometown, that it became the independent bottler known today for its single casks. This is the story of Duncan Taylor.
In short
| Set up | May 27, 1938, in Glasgow |
| Original activity | Barrel trader and trading company |
| Acquired by | Euan Shand, in 2001 |
| Located in | Huntly, Aberdeenshire, since 2001 |
| Corporate Identity | Single cask, cask strength, natural color, not cold-filtered |
From barrel trader to name of repute
Duncan Taylor was founded in Glasgow on May 27, 1938, initially as a cask dealer and trading company: the company bought and traded casks of whisky, without bottling itself. Over the decades, it built up an impressive stock of rare, old casks — a treasure trove of whisky that would form the basis of modern independent bottlings decades later.
Homecoming in Huntly
In 2001, Euan Shand, who had previously worked for the Glendronach distillery, took over Duncan Taylor and his entire stock. Shand moved the company to Huntly in Aberdeenshire — his own hometown — and built a full-fledged bottling plant there, complete with blending and storage facilities. In 2014, Duncan Taylor moved again, this time to a converted former supermarket on King Street in Huntly, to meet growing demand.
Award-winning, multiple years in a row
The approach paid off: between 2006 and 2011, Duncan Taylor was named "Independent Bottler of the Year" multiple times by Whisky Magazine. The company still bottles according to the same principles as back then: cask strength, without coloring and without cold filtration, so that each cask retains its own unadulterated character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duncan Taylor a distillery?
No. Duncan Taylor is an independent bottler: the company buys casks of whisky from distilleries throughout Scotland and bottles them itself, without owning a distillery of its own.
Who is leading Duncan Taylor these days?
Shawn Smith has been the owner since April 2024. Prior to that, the company was led by Euan Shand since 2001, who moved it to Huntly.
Why did Duncan Taylor start as a barrel trader instead of a bottler?
Upon its founding in 1938, the company focused on buying and trading whisky casks. It was only after the acquisition by Euan Shand in 2001 that Duncan Taylor developed into the bottler it is today.
What makes Duncan Taylor's bottlings recognizable?
Duncan Taylor bottles at cask strength, without added coloring and without cold filtration — thus preserving the full character of each individual cask.
