"The Chain – Chapter 2" (Chain Pier Distillery) 5-Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Distilled in Edinburgh’s historic waterfront district of Leith, this Chain Pier Distillery single malt offers more than just a sip of exceptional whisky—it provides a taste of Scottish whisky history itself. Established in 2019 as a small-scale, experimental project, Chain Pier Distillery marked the first whisky production within Edinburgh city limits in over 100 years. After producing just 39 rare casks, the distillery was quietly dismantled, making this bottling a truly rare gem.

Why is this so special?

The Chain Pier Distillery was never intended to last. As the experimental forerunner of the now fully operational Bonnington Distillery, its lifespan was brief but impactful. Today, the site stands as a maturation warehouse surrounded by the quickly evolving landscape of modern apartments, but these original Chain Pier casks are becoming increasingly coveted as liquid treasures of Edinburgh whisky heritage.

Only 39 casks were ever filled at Chain Pier. Uncharted Whisky Co has already released cask #34, retains cask #36 for longer maturation, and proudly presents this offering from cask #8—an extraordinary whisky matured exclusively in a first-fill French red wine barrique.

Exceptional Cask Influence

• Unlike typical wine-cask whiskies, this expression's French red wine maturation reveals itself subtly yet elegantly. Rather than dominating the spirit, the rich, red wine barrique seamlessly integrates with the robust, characterful distillate—producing an extraordinary and truly distinctive dram.

An Increasingly Rare Opportunity

• Due to its limited run and Edinburgh’s rapid urban development, Chain Pier bottlings represent an exceptional and fleeting opportunity to experience something unique and historical. Moreover, owners of this Chapter 2 bottling will receive guaranteed access—without ballots or waiting—to Chapter 3 upon its release, securing continuity in your collection of these rare drams.

Any of our customers who buy the Chapter 2 bottling will be offered the Chain Pier Chapter 3 bottling when it is ready without the need to ‘ballot’.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A heavy and meaty distillate. Rich and heady. No malt traces of new make remain despite the young age. Heavy black treacle, cinnamon, and saw dust. With water a touch of lemon creeps in.

Palate

This dram doesn’t taste like any red wine cask I have ever tried before. Any winey influence doesn’t appear until the finish. The dram is rich and full bodied- the distillate is the star of the show without it being ‘spiritous’. The wood has added bags of flavour too but you could be forgiven for thinking this was a sweet fortified wine cask.

Finish

The heavy spirit slides off the palate leaving butterscotch and oak in it’s wake.  Brighter red fruit emerges and a touch of the red wine. Stunning.