14/12/2025
In the 13th to 17th centuries, lawless gangs of racketeers roamed the Scottish Borderlands, plundering, raiding, and defying authority. They were known as the Border Reivers.
In October 1525, Archbishop Gavin Dunbar of Glasgow unleashed a torrent of fury upon them - a 1,069-word curse condemning entire towns and families for their crimes. The curse was so fierce that priests were ordered to read it aloud in every parish across the Borders the following Sunday. It became one of the most famous - and fearsome - ecclesiastical tirades in Scottish history.
Centuries later, our whiskymakers took inspiration from that very curse. From our Borders warehouse, they selected casks of 2008 single grain whisky that had been re-aged in French red wine, Cognac, and Jamaican rum barrels - spirits that had “stolen” character from every vessel they touched.
This is the story of The Bishop’s Curse - a single grain Scotch whisky aged 15 years, blended from refill grain and casks once filled with French red wine, French Cognac, and Jamaican rum. A whisky praised for its stolen flavours, not condemned for them.
Follow the link in our bio to learn more about The Ephemera Collection.