# Gaelic Highlands Scotches Usquaebach 'An Ard Ri Cask Strength' is a High-Proof Blend By Joey Haar | Published 2017-01-17 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/an-ard-ri-cask-strength References: [thewhiskeywash](https://thewhiskeywash.com/scotch-whiskey/usquaebach-scotch-whisky-adds-ultra-premium-offering/) & [prweb](http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/10/prweb13738159.htm) Usquaebach's An Ard Ri Cask Strength [Scotch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ardbeg-anamorphic-scotch-whiskey) whiskey is an artisan, hand-blended spirit that is the blender's first ultra-premium offering. In fact, the Highlands Scotch is altogether the first new blend released by Usquaebach (pronounced "oos-ke-bah) in almost 25 years. The name An Ard Ri Cask Strength comes from a Gaelic phrase that roughly translates as "the high king." Such a name is fitting, as the An Ard Ri Scotch works to maintain Usquaebach's position as "King of the Blended Whiskies." The term "cask strength" refers to the bottling process. The [limited edition Scotch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scotch-whisky) is bottled at cask strength, giving it a relatively high ABV of 57.1 percent. The blend consists of over 20 [single malt casks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thirteen-yearold-single-malt), aged between 10 and 21 years. These casks all come from the personal collection of Master Blender Stewart H. Laing. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 20% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Artisan Hand-blended Spirits:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for distilleries to create unique and high-quality hand-blended spirits like Usquaebach's An Ard Ri Cask Strength Scotch. - **Limited Edition Cask Strength Bottling:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for whiskey producers to create limited edition cask strength bottlings, catering to whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate higher alcohol by volume (ABV) percentages. - **Revival of Traditional Blending Methods:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for blending techniques and craftsmanship to make a comeback in the spirits industry, as demonstrated by Usquaebach's use of over 20 single malt casks in their An Ard Ri Cask Strength Scotch. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Craft Distilleries:** Craft distilleries can leverage the trend of artisan hand-blended spirits to create unique and premium offerings that cater to discerning whiskey consumers. - **Whiskey Producers:** Whiskey producers can explore the market potential of limited edition cask strength bottlings, targeting whiskey enthusiasts who seek higher ABV percentages in their spirits. - **Blending Craftsmanship:** The blending craftsmanship industry has an opportunity to revive and reinvent traditional blending methods, providing distilleries with expertise and techniques to create exceptional blended spirits. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Robust Cask-Strength Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caskstrength-whiskies.md) - [Experimental Scotch Whiskey Spirits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ardbeg-anamorphic-scotch-whiskey.md) - [Opulent French-Inspired Spirits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/great-crown-scotch-whiskey.md) - [Premium Scottish Whisky](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mossburn-signature-casks-series.md) - [Complex 28-Year-Old Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glendronach-grandeur-batch.md) - [Ex-Bourbon Barrel Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kingsbarns-distillery.md) - [Opulent Scotch Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glenfiddich-1.md) - [Limited-Edition Scotch Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/46yearold-scotch-whisky.md) - [Historical Heritage Scotch Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laphroaig-archive-collection-38yearold.md)