James Eadie: reviving a historic name in Scotch whisky

Few names in Scotch whisky carry such a strong link to the past as James Eadie. First established in the mid-19th century, the brand has roots in brewing, blending and pub culture, and has been brought back to life in the 21st century with a clear respect for tradition. Today, James Eadie operates as an independent bottler while also recreating the famous Trade Mark ‘X’ blend that once graced hundreds of public houses across Britain.

A legacy of brewing and blending

James Eadie (1827–1904) was born near Gleneagles, one of fourteen children in a working-class Scottish family. He left school at fourteen and quickly made his mark in brewing, establishing his own company in 1854. His brewery grew to prominence and was later noted in Alfred Barnard’s *Noted Breweries of Great Britain and Ireland* (1889), a seminal work documenting the brewing industry of the period.

Eadie was reported in local papers as a self-made man – quiet, hardworking and determined. Beyond beer, his family had its own recipe for a Scotch whisky blend. Originally passed down from his father, the blend became known as James Eadie’s Trade Mark ‘X’, described by Barnard as “an ancient Scotch mixture that was dispensed to a favoured few”. In practice, it was enjoyed much more widely, available in over 300 James Eadie pubs across the country.

Only a handful of bottles from the original blend survive, all held by family members. These relics from the so-called Golden Age of Scotch Whisky have played a crucial role in guiding the brand’s revival.

Rediscovering the blend

In 2015, Rupert Patrick – great-great-grandson of James Eadie and co-founder of WhiskyInvestDirect – undertook the task of reviving his ancestor’s whisky. The process was meticulous: first, he consulted Eadie’s ledgers to identify the component malts and grains, then he assembled a panel of experts to taste one of the few surviving bottles from the 1940s. Finally, he enlisted Norman Mathison, one of Scotland’s most respected master blenders, to recreate the blend for a modern audience.

The result was the return of Trade Mark ‘X’ – a whisky designed not as a replica, but as a faithful revival of a style rooted in the late 19th century. With its elegant balance and touch of peat smoke, it offers today’s drinkers a rare chance to experience a blend that echoes the flavours of a different era.

Independent bottler with a historical edge

Since its relaunch in 2016, James Eadie Ltd has developed into one of the most admired independent bottlers in the market. Based in London, the company selects single casks and small batches from distilleries across Scotland, often bottling them at natural strength without chill-filtration or added colouring. This approach puts the individuality of each cask at the forefront, while giving whisky drinkers the chance to explore flavours beyond the core bottlings of distilleries.

The company’s reputation is further strengthened by its interest in whisky history. Alongside its bottlings, the team has published important historical works, including ‘The Distilleries of Great Britain and Ireland 1922–1929’ and ‘The Distillation of Whisky 1927–1931’. In some cases, whiskies and spirits have been bottled to tie in with these publications, offering a rare bridge between archival research and modern production.

What sets James Eadie apart

James Eadie’s significance lies in its ability to combine historical authenticity with contemporary whisky practice. The Trade Mark ‘X’ blend connects directly to the brand’s heritage, while its single cask bottlings appeal to modern drinkers seeking individuality and transparency. This dual focus makes James Eadie unusual among independent bottlers, giving it both a clear identity and a sense of continuity with Scotland’s whisky-making past.

Exploring the range

The James Eadie portfolio typically includes Trade Mark ‘X’, the revived house blend shaped by malts and grains once favoured in the late 19th century. Alongside it are single cask bottlings, often presented at natural strength, which showcase the diversity of character across Scotland’s regions and distilleries. The company also bottles small batch whiskies, offering limited runs with consistent flavour profiles and, in some cases, distinctive cask finishes.

Each whisky reflects the company’s focus on quality and historical context, making the range appealing to those who value both flavour and story in their glass.

A sip of history

To enjoy a dram of James Eadie is to step into the past while still appreciating the craft of the present. Whether it is the smoky, balanced profile of Trade Mark ‘X’ or the individuality of a single cask bottling, the whiskies carry with them the spirit of a man who believed in doing things properly – never in a hurry, but always with purpose.

For those interested in exploring Scotch beyond the mainstream, James Eadie offers more than just whisky. It provides a living connection to one of Scotland’s enduring names, reimagined with care for today’s drinker.