Drambuie Isle of Skye Liqueur
Drambuie is a 40% ABV (80 proof), 750mL whisky liqueur from Scotland: aged Scotch whisky blended with Scottish heather honey and a secret selection of aromatic herbs and spices, in a recipe the brand says only three people know. Owned by William Grant & Sons since 2014, after roughly a century with the MacKinnon family, it is the defining ingredient of the Rusty Nail. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Scotch whisky liqueur
- Base: Aged Scotch whisky (no age statement)
- Sweetening: Scottish heather honey
- Origin: Scotland
The Drink That Satisfies — A Skye Legend
Brand legend holds that the recipe began as an elixir made for Bonnie Prince Charlie, who — fleeing after Culloden in 1746 — gifted it on the Isle of Skye to John MacKinnon in thanks. A century later it reached the Broadford Hotel on Skye, where locals are said to have called it "An Dram Buidheach," the drink that satisfies — the source of the name Drambuie. However the story began, the liqueur itself is no legend: honeyed, herbal and unmistakably Scotch-based. Find it with our liqueurs, compare its base spirit across the Scotch whisky shelf, or see the Drambuie vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Aged malt whisky aromas with floral, herbal overtones and rich honey. Palate: Layered herbal, spicy and sweet notes over the Scotch base, the honey running through it all. Finish: Full-bodied and warming, long and sweet-spiced.
How to Enjoy
Stir it with Scotch over ice for the Rusty Nail, or pour it neat or on the rocks as a digestif after dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drambuie a whisky or a liqueur? A liqueur — Scotch whisky is its base, but it is sweetened with heather honey and flavoured with herbs and spices, which makes it a whisky liqueur.
What is in Drambuie? Aged Scotch whisky, Scottish heather honey, and a secret blend of herbs and spices. The exact recipe is closely held and no specific botanicals are disclosed.
What cocktail is Drambuie known for? The Rusty Nail — Drambuie and Scotch whisky stirred over ice.
Mix the definitive Rusty Nail — order Drambuie Isle of Skye Liqueur online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.