West Highland Profile

Blended Scotch Whisky

The West Highland blend was briefly produced and marketed in the 1970s and early ‘80s before being withdrawn, leaving its owner, Whigham’s of Ayr, to concentrate on its stablemate, Duart Castle. Its sales were largely in European export markets.

The NAS blend was also bottled as a 6- and 8-year-old blend, at 43% abv.

  • Production type
    Blended Scotch

West Highland History

The famous Ayr-based wine merchant Whigham, Fergusson & Cunningham, which had roots dating back to 1766, split in two in 1968: Whigham Fergusson Ltd became a London-based business while the original company was re-registered as Whigham’s of Ayr.

The latter dabbled in whisky blending and had two brands, one of which was West Highland, the other Duart Castle. The latter became its main seller and by the early 1980s the West Highland brand had been withdrawn.

London-based wine merchant Corney & Barrow took over the business in 1994, ceasing its whisky activities and returning its operation to wine sales.

Timeline

  • 1766 The forerunner to Whigham’s of Ayr is established a a wine and spirit merchant
  • 1970s The West Highland brand is introduced by Whigham’s of Ayr
  • Early 1980s The West Highland brand is withdrawn
  • 1994 Corney & Barrow acquires Whigham’s of Ayr, which stops trading in Scotch whisky

Owner

Whighams of Ayr logo

Current owner

  • Whighams of Ayr

See also

  • James Martin’s James Martin’s James Martin’s Brand

    James Martin’s

    An export-only blend from the late-Victorian era that became ingrained in Glenmorangie plc’s DNA.

  • Slaintheva Slaintheva Slaintheva Brand

    Slaintheva

    Purchasers of this blended Scotch could have their name inscribed on the label gratis.

  • Glen Forest Glen Forest Glen Forest Brand

    Glen Forest

    Value blended Scotch whisky from one of Italy’s largest beverage distributors.

  • Honest John Honest John Honest John Brand

    Honest John

    Standard Scotch blend created by the Tanist Bonding Company exclusively for sale in Italy.

Scroll To Top