Berry Bros & Rudd

A legacy in independent whisky bottling

With a history stretching back to 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd is not only Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant but also one of the most respected names in the whisky world. Based in London’s historic St James’s Street, this family-run business has evolved over three centuries from a modest grocer into a global authority in fine wine and spirits. Holding two Royal Warrants and working with six Masters of Wine, its reputation is firmly established — yet it is the company's dedication to quality and tradition that continues to define it.

A heritage of excellence

Berry Bros. & Rudd began life under the guidance of a resourceful woman known only by her surname, Bourne. In the shadow of St James’s Palace, her shop quickly grew into a bustling grocer and coffee supplier, trading under the ‘Sign of the Coffee Mill’ - an emblem still found above the door today. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, successive generations, including the Pickerings and eventually the Berry family, helped transition the shop’s focus toward wines and spirits.

By 1810, the Berry name officially appeared over the shop, thanks to George Berry’s efforts to guide the company into the world of fine wine. In 1845, his sons George Jr. and Henry became the original “Berry Brothers”, cementing the family name in the industry. The addition of Hugh Rudd in 1920 brought deep expertise in European wines, particularly from Bordeaux and Germany. This partnership led to the renaming of the company as Berry Bros. & Rudd in 1940, reflecting the legacy of both families.

Approach to whisky

Unlike distilleries that craft their own spirit Berry Bros. & Rudd is known for its role as an independent bottler — a company that sources casks from distilleries across Scotland and beyond. Their strength lies in selection. The team meticulously chooses only the most characterful and expressive casks, bottling them under its own label with minimal intervention. This practice allows whisky drinkers to experience rare, often single-cask expressions that showcase a distillery’s spirit in a distinctive way.

These whiskies are typically bottled at cask strength, are non-chill filtered, and without added colour — choices that preserve the whisky’s natural character and integrity. From smoky Islay single malts to elegant Highland drams, each release reflects both the original distillery's style and Berry Bros. & Rudd’s high standards.

Character and distinction

Berry Bros. & Rudd whiskies are marked by their clarity of flavour and sense of place. Because they work with a wide range of distilleries and regions, their offerings vary significantly — but there are common threads. A commitment to traditional maturation methods, careful cask selection (including ex-bourbon and sherry casks), and a respect for the whisky’s natural evolution all contribute to well-balanced and often complex expressions.

Whether it’s a delicate Speyside malt with orchard fruit and vanilla notes, or a bold Islay bottling full of brine, peat smoke and citrus, Berry Bros. & Rudd’s whiskies are chosen to be true to their origins. Each label provides detailed tasting notes and cask information, offering transparency and education for the drinker.

Product range

Berry Bros. & Rudd’s whisky portfolio includes an evolving series of limited releases sourced from distilleries across Scotland and occasionally further afield. While there is no fixed core range, their bottlings are often grouped by style — for example, peated vs. unpeated, or bourbon vs. sherry cask — rather than by distillery name, depending on availability.

Notable expressions have included rare single malts from closed or lesser-known distilleries, cask-strength bottlings aged over several decades, and seasonal releases that reflect the company’s deep ties to the whisky trade. Each bottling is numbered and released in small batches, making them prized among collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The St James’s experience

Though not a distillery, Berry Bros. & Rudd’s historic London premises offers visitors a rare glimpse into over 300 years of spirits and wine trade. The shop at 3 St James’s Street is a Grade II listed building, steeped in history and tradition. Here, the original grocer’s weighing scales remain in place — once used to weigh customers, including Lord Byron and various royals.

While the premises are not a distillery tour destination in the traditional sense, visitors can enjoy curated tastings, expert-led masterclasses, and a first-hand look at the archives and cellars where generations of merchants have stored their stock. It is a place where the old world meets the new — a living history of British drinks culture.

Final thoughts

Berry Bros. & Rudd’s approach to whisky honours the legacy of its founders while embracing the diversity and richness of global whisky production. For those interested in exploring exceptional single malts outside of distillery core ranges, their bottlings offer a chance to taste the unique — to discover whisky as it once was: unfiltered, at natural colour, and full of personality.

Curious about a particular cask? Look out for Berry Bros. & Rudd’s latest releases — each bottle is a chapter in a story over 300 years in the making.