With over 32,000 visitors and 74,000 cocktails served, Cocktail Street was back in 2025 at the Grande Halle de la Villette! Among all the brands present, one of them allowed us to set sail aboard its bar, a three-masted schooner version: CUTTY SARK! This Scottish blend, recognizable by its bright yellow label and the illustration of the famous sailing ship that gives it its name, establishes itself in the spirits universe as a revisited classic. CUTTY SARK combines its Scottish roots with bold contemporary ambitions, under the watchful eye of La Martiniquaise, which acquired the brand in 2018.
"CUTTY SARK holds a unique place in the French market: that of an accessible, modern, and bold whisky", explains Simon Maufras, Brand Ambassador France. "Its light and elegant style makes it ideal for mixology, without renouncing its Scottish heritage."
A visionary story (and already looking towards tomorrow)
It all started in 1923. The whisky industry was in severe turmoil: Prohibition in the United States, global economic crises, struggling distilleries... It was then that the London house Berry Bros. & Rudd decided to shake things up. Their idea? To create a lighter, more accessible whisky, contrary to the heavy blends then in vogue.
The name CUTTY SARK is not chosen randomly. It pays homage to a famous 19th-century clipper, a symbol of speed, elegance, and maritime audacity. This is exactly the spirit the brand wants to infuse into its whisky. From the outset, CUTTY SARK appeals to a wide audience: modern, open-minded, without sacrificing quality.
And then there's that famous, cult-status yellow label... In reality, it was a fluke: the initially planned cream color turned yellow during printing. An "error" that would end up defining the brand's visual identity.
A subtle (and ever-evolving) blend
What makes CUTTY SARK different? Its balance. The blend marries malt and grain whiskies from the Highlands and Speyside, two flagship regions known for their aromatic elegance.
The house also has a secret weapon: the "Marrying Process". For 21 days, the malt whiskies rest before the final blend. A key step that rounds off the edges, preserves the aromas, and gives it this unique, light style.
The result on the palate: a fruity, vanilla profile, enhanced by delicate cereal notes. A whisky that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
But CUTTY SARK doesn't rest on its laurels. In recent years, the range has expanded with more assertive vintages, such as Prohibition, at 50% ABV, with spicy and caramelized notes; the 12-year-old; or the Centenary Edition, a very limited series of 1435 bottles. And in 2025, a new vintage, CUTTY SARK 17 years, was released internationally.
Aged in three types of sherry, port, and bourbon casks, this 17-year-old embodies our spirit of adventure, precisely Simon Maufras. For the moment, this vintage is exclusively available for export, but it illustrates our desire to innovate without betraying our DNA.
Complete Interview with Simon Maufras, Brand Ambassador France CUTTY SARK
What cocktails were offered on the Cocktail Street this year?
To appeal to a wide audience, we designed with Cassandra Droz a menu of signature cocktails rich in flavors and suitable for all tastes:
- Green Horizon: a vegetal and aromatic cocktail based on Cutty Sark Original, pandan syrup, yellow lemon, and black lemon, with a dash of verbena oil to flavor it all. This daring cocktail won over CUTTY SARK enthusiasts!
- Cutty Colada: a daring twist on the Piña Colada. This cocktail, both tropical, indulgent, and perfectly balanced, sublimated the vanilla and toffee notes of Cutty Sark Prohibition.
- Scarlett Clipper: A fruity and sparkling cocktail made with Cutty Sark Original, shiso cordial, raspberry water, and rooibos tea. It's our best-seller!
- And of course, the Cutty Highball, our essential: a refreshing cocktail, easy to reproduce at home.
For the second consecutive year, we chose to offer two draft cocktails – the Scarlett Clipper and the Cutty Highball. This approach allowed us to ensure fast service, perfect dosage consistency, and constant quality throughout the event.
What is your assessment of this 2025 edition?
This event is an annual opportunity to surprise, delight, and share our passion for spirits with a curious and enthusiastic audience. This edition was a true success: record attendance, rich exchanges with visitors, and great visibility for CUTTY SARK. Thanks to our signature cocktails, we successfully demonstrated that CUTTY SARK is the ideal partner for mixology, captivating both enthusiasts and newcomers.
How would you describe Cutty Sark's position in the French market?
CUTTY SARK currently holds a unique position in the French market: that of an accessible, modern, and bold whisky. Its identity is based on a strong heritage, born in 1923, with an innovative vision: to create a lighter and more elegant blend, contrary to the heavy whiskies of the time. This unique style, marked by freshness, finesse, and the iconic yellow label color, makes it an ideal whisky for mixology while remaining true to its Scottish roots.
What are the brand's recent news?
CUTTY SARK innovates with the launch of a new premium reference: CUTTY SARK 17 Years Old. Aged in three types of casks – sherry, port, and bourbon – this blend embodies the spirit of adventure and elegance that has defined the brand for over a century. For now, this cuvée is exclusively available for export, but it illustrates our commitment to innovation and offering unique experiences to whisky enthusiasts.
Furthermore, CUTTY SARK Original recently won a gold medal at the Global Travel Retail Masters and a silver medal at the IWSC 2025. The CUTTY SARK 12 Years Old also distinguished itself this year with a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
What are the next steps the brand is taking to strengthen visibility among professionals and introduce your products to a wider audience?
CUTTY SARK continues to create immersive experiences to enhance its presence among professionals and appeal to a broader audience. To introduce the Cutty Highball in complete immersion within the brand's universe, our "Storm Warning" evenings are returning with several dates in clubs and discotheques across France. We are also collaborating with passionate bartenders to highlight the versatility of CUTTY SARK in mixology. Finally, new projects are in preparation to strengthen our presence and visibility in 2026.
What is CUTTY SARK's ambition for the coming years?
By capitalizing on its universe and evolving its drink strategy, CUTTY SARK continues to honor its rich heritage by attracting a new generation of consumers. This allows it to consolidate its pioneering position in the world of Blended Scotch Whiskies with the ambition of being the benchmark for whisky-based cocktails.
