Hawick's The Borders Distillery has released its first single malt Scotch, the first whisky of its kind made in the Scottish Borders since 1837, giving Asia's cask investors and collectors a new, unproven name to watch.

TL;DR

  • The Borders Distillery in Hawick has launched The Borders Single Malt Scotch Whisky – First Release, an 8-year-old finished in Malmsey Madeira casks.
  • It is being called the first single malt whisky distilled and released in the Scottish Borders since 1837.
  • The run is capped at 10,000 bottles at £46 (about US$62) RRP; wider distribution beyond the UK, including into Asia, has not yet been confirmed.

What is The Borders Distillery's first release?

The Borders Distillery, in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, filled its first casks in 2018 and has now bottled its debut single malt: The Borders Single Malt Scotch Whisky – First Release. Bottled at 46% ABV, the whisky spent its early years in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak casks before a finishing period in Malmsey Madeira casks. Tasting notes cited by the distillery and by trade press include sultanas, citrus and sweet caramel on the palate, with honey and vanilla on the nose and hazelnut and macadamia on the finish. The release is capped at 10,000 bottles worldwide, priced at £46, about US$62, for a 700ml bottle.

Why does the 1837 gap matter?

The Scottish Borders has not had a working distillery release its own single malt since 1837, according to the distillery and multiple trade outlets. The Borders Distillery was founded in 2013 by four former William Grant & Sons executives and occupies a restored Victorian building in Hawick, a town better known for cashmere and textiles than whisky. That near 190 year gap is the centre of the launch story, positioning the release as a genuine regional first rather than a routine new-brand debut. The launch also lands in the same week that English whisky secured its own protected status, another reminder that whisky regions once thought settled are still shifting.

What does it taste like?

Whisky writer Charles MacLean, quoted in trade coverage, described the whisky as easy drinking and more-ish. Managing director Giancarlo Bianchi said the Madeira cask finish was chosen to add subtle layers of complexity while letting the character of the spirit shine through. Neither description has been independently verified by Whisky Bulletin; both are the distillery's own characterisation and that of a commentator it retained for the launch.

Why it matters for Asia's collectors and investors

For Asia-based buyers, a distillery's first release is usually a low-cost way to get in early on a name that may or may not develop a secondary market, the same appetite that recently sent a record Johnnie Walker collection to auction. Debut bottlings from newer Scottish distilleries such as Raasay and Ardnamurchan have in some cases traded above retail once the distillery built a track record; others have simply held their value or drifted below it. The Borders' own case is untested: this is its first single malt release, so it has no resale history at all yet.

Is a new distillery's first release worth buying?

That depends on what a buyer wants. At £46 for a limited but not especially scarce 10,000 bottle run, the release is priced as an accessible collectible rather than a rare allocation. Whisky Bulletin does not offer financial advice, and nothing in a distillery's own marketing, or in early trade reviews, reliably predicts future value. Buyers weighing this against other options may want to revisit which Scottish distilleries have actually delivered strong cask returns, and how to vet a cask broker before committing larger sums, since a single bottle carries far less risk than a cask allocation.

How can buyers in Asia get a bottle?

As of publication, the First Release is confirmed for select UK specialist retailers. The distillery and The Spirits Business both note that international distribution will follow, without a confirmed date or market list. Prospective buyers in Asia should watch The Borders Distillery's own retail and export channels directly rather than relying on resellers, since the run size is fixed and unofficial secondary listings are likely to carry a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Borders' First Release available in Asia yet?

Not yet confirmed. Initial UK retail listings are confirmed; the distillery says international distribution will follow, without naming markets or a date.

How much does it cost?

£46, about US$62, for a 700ml bottle at 46% ABV, from a release limited to 10,000 bottles worldwide.

Why is this release considered historically significant?

It is described by the distillery and multiple trade outlets as the first single malt whisky distilled and released in the Scottish Borders since 1837.

Sources and Method

This article draws on The Borders Distillery's own website and product pages, The Spirits Business (15 September 2026), and The Whisky Wire (15 September 2026). Direct quotations from Giancarlo Bianchi and Charles MacLean are as reported by these outlets and have not been independently re-interviewed by Whisky Bulletin. Distribution timing beyond the UK is not yet confirmed by the distillery.