Bottler embeds verification technology into packaging
Independent bottler One Cask at a Time has unveiled its first collection of six single cask whiskies, each featuring near-field communication (NFC) technology that offers buyers a ‘seamless and secure digital experience’.
One Cask at a Time’s inaugural release is said to honour the enduring traditions and values of whisky-making, in particular the transformative role of time on the liquid.
The collection consists of three series, each curated to appeal to different audiences and tastes: Chronograph, designed for whisky lovers who seek out characterful flavour discoveries; Pendulum, which is said to elevate the experience with ‘remarkable’ age statements and contemporary packaging; and Grandfather, described as a luxurious collection for seasoned connoisseurs, presented in hand-crafted oak cases.
Each bottle is said to be a celebration of time and its effect on a dram, and together they take the consumer on a ‘journey of discovery’ from the more accessible whiskies in the collection through to the more innovative and one-of-a-kind drams, ending with the rare and refined collector’s items.
The Chronograph series features two single cask whiskies: Ben Nevis 2023, bottled at 56.1% ABV and priced at £89 (US$118), and Glentauchers 2009, resting at 56.9% ABV and offered for £115 (US$153). Only 207 and 271 bottles of each are available respectively.
Only one whisky features in the Pendulum series: Auchentoshan 1998, of which 142 bottles are available. It is presented at 59.5% ABV and priced at £275 (US$366).
Finally in the Grandfather series, 74 bottles of Ledaig 1993 are available, retailing for £599 (US$797) and bottled at 42.3% ABV.
This is offered alongside two whiskies that were recognised at The Scotch Whisky Masters 2025: the 43.8% ABV Aultmore 1990, which took home a Gold medal in the blind-tasting competition, and the 43.4% ABV Highland Park 1996, which was awarded a coveted Master medal. They retail at £675 (US$899) and £699 (US$931) respectively.
“Only casks of exceptional quality have been chosen for bottling under the One Cask at a Time label,” explained Russell Bradley, head of brand development. “A testament to the art of whisky making and a tribute to the role time has to play in transforming a whisky, each cask has been hand selected for their unique qualities – bottling a moment in time to share with the world”.
Bottle passport
Setting the series apart is the brand’s fully interactive experience that unfolds using its pioneering digital ‘bottle passport’ – a digital feature that turns every bottle into a ‘gateway to its own story’.
Each bottle is embedded with a contactless NFC tag discreetly located on the bottle neck. When tapped with a smartphone, the tag launches the dedicated One Cask at a Time app that chronicles the origins of the liquid from the day the cask was filled to the day it was bottled.
The bottle passport gives collectors instant access to a wealth of information, from expert tasting notes – including video content for the Grandfather range – cask history, plus bottling date and origin distillery.
It also acts as a verification tool enabling owners to authenticate their purchases, as the bottle passport also plays a vital anti-counterfeit role, with each NFC tag being individually encrypted and impossible to duplicate.
When scanned, the system cross-references the tag’s unique ID with the brand’s secure server to verify authenticity and ownership. Any attempt to clone, reuse or falsify a tag is instantly flagged, ensuring product integrity and protecting consumer confidence.
This technological safeguard is said to be particularly crucial in the premium whisky market, where collector confidence and investment protection are paramount.
“We’re here to add something new to the world of whisky for the next generation,” added Bradley. “The contactless icon on the bottle neck allows owners to instantly verify the authenticity of their purchase, it also takes them to the app where they can learn about every aspect of the bottle and the liquid it contains. But while we very much look to the future it’s important to know that without the hands of time, good whisky can never become exceptional.”
In addition, users can choose to ‘add to collection’, creating a personal digital library of their bottles, complete with custom tasting notes and consumption tracking.
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