Single Cask Nation

The owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society adds to its portfolio of brands offering exceptional single-cask and limited-edition whiskies.

The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc, the creator of outstanding, one-of-a-kind whisky and experiences around the world, and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has acquired US-based independent bottling brand, Single Cask Nation. 

Single Cask Nation, which was founded in 2011 by Jason Johnstone-Yellin and Joshua Hatton, joins ASC’s family of brands alongside the SMWS and J.G. Thomson & Co. 

The acquisition is driven by ASC’s ambition to expand its portfolio of exceptional quality brands which are aimed at a growing global community of discerning whisky and craft spirits consumers. Single Cask Nation sources, curates and bottles rare single-cask and limited-edition whiskies and other spirits for sale both online and through specialty on- and off-premise accounts in eight markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Israel and Canada. Today, Single Cask Nation has an audience of over 10,000 whisky drinkers across the globe, with the US being the largest market for the business. 

The move will not impact on the operations of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society which will continue to deliver exceptional Scotch whisky experiences for its members. Johnstone-Yellin and Hatton will continue to run Single Cask Nation as a distinct business within the ASC group. Whisky industry veteran Steve Hawley, president of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and former VP Global Marketing for Westland Distillery in Seattle, has also joined ASC’s team and will work closely with Single Cask Nation to provide strategic and tactical support.

Andrew Dane, CEO of ASC, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Single Cask Nation to our family of brands at Artisanal Spirits Company, alongside The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and J.G. Thomson & Co. 

“This acquisition aligns with our ambition to thoughtfully expand the portfolio while staying true to our core mission to captivate a global community of whisky adventurers with rare and exceptional bottlings. 

“This is also very much an investment in Jason and Joshua themselves who have cultivated a global following and stellar reputation as thought leaders in the world of whisky. They will both add a tremendous wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to our business and we’re looking forward to welcoming them and their followers to the family.”

Single Cask Nation’s co-founder Johnstone-Yellin said: “In a way, by joining Artisanal Spirits Company we’re coming full-circle in our whisky journey. It was actually The Scotch Malt Whisky Society that first inspired us to start an independent bottling business in the first place. We’ve admired them (and their whiskies) for years, so to be a sister brand to them now is pretty wild.” 

Co-founder Hatton added: “Jason and I have certainly never been short on ideas. With the resources and wealth of experience to draw from at Artisanal Spirits Company, we’ll now be able to bring those ideas to life and more incredible whisky to the Nation. I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s coming next.