Wee Smoky launches into expanding RTD category
(l-r )Felix Bottomley, Marketing Head and Rory Gammell, Founder Wee Smoky
Wee Smoky, a smoky whisky made for mixing, has transformed six iconic cocktails into premium ready-to-drink serves, in a quest to prove that a hint of smoke can elevate almost any cocktail.
Wee Smoky founder Rory Gammell has spent the past six years on a mission to elevate cocktails by adding ‘a hint of smoke’, working with Liquid Development Partner Jack Sotti to create the range.
The new Wee Smoky RTD range is the first dedicated smoky whisky cocktail range of its kind, bringing bar-quality cocktails into a convenient 100ml can format and with a two year shelf life.
The range has four traditionally non-whisky cocktails crafted with the non-whisky drinker in mind - the Margarita, Salted Caramel, Espresso Martini and Wee Smoky’s take on the Paloma, the Grape-fruit-arita, while the Old Fashioned and Manhattan were created for whisky fans.
“In consumer testing, so many people who swore they wouldn't drink whisky really enjoyed our cocktails, saying they would order them at a bar. There is so much opportunity here because instead of turning away from smoke, people are excited about it,” said Rory. “Smoke has traditionally been seen as intense. Whisky has traditionally been seen as intimidating. We believe both deserve a wider audience.”
Spirit-based RTDs have become the fastest-growing category in beverage alcohol, expanding by 10% to 14% each year.
For Trade enquiries contact hey@weesmoky.com
BACKGROUND AND INSPIRATION
The inspiration behind Wee Smoky as a business came from seeing how powerful smoky whisky could be in cocktails.
Founder Rory Gammell first discovered the potential of smoke through the Penicillin cocktail while visiting a San Francisco cocktail bar.
“I remember thinking: this is incredible. The smoke doesn’t overpower the drink - it elevates the whole experience. The question was: why doesn’t everyone know about this?”
That question became Wee Smoky’s mission: to show the world that smoky Scotch doesn’t belong only in traditional whisky rituals. It belongs in cocktails, celebrations and everyday moments.
Founded in 2020, Wee Smoky was created as a single-grain Scotch whisky specifically designed for mixing. The original bottle quickly gained international attention, securing listings across Australia and expanding into markets including France, China, the US, Hong Kong and South Korea.
The RTD launch represents the next step: removing the barriers of knowledge, ingredients and confidence that stop people making cocktails at home.
Jack Sotti, Wee Smoky’s Liquid Development Partner, said: “Wee Smoky takes a flavour that has traditionally been viewed as complex or intimidating and makes it approachable and exciting. The goal was never simply to put whisky into a can - it was to create properly balanced cocktails that deliver the flavour and experience you would expect from a great bar serve.”
Wee Smoky’s ambition is to prove that Scotch can compete globally in cocktail culture alongside categories such as tequila and mezcal, with ‘smoke’ being the platform to bring it to life.
The full Wee Smoky RTD collection includes:
Margarita
A bright twist on the classic, combining zingy lime, subtle cactus notes and a gentle smoky finish. (22% ABV | 100ml)
Salted Caramel
A velvet-smooth indulgence of buttery caramel, salt and light smoke - like a perfectly burnt crème brûlée in a can. Early buyers described it as “F**k me, that’s good” and repeatedly compared it favourably to creamy liqueur favourites. (22% ABV | 100ml)
Espresso Martini
Rich roasted coffee, chocolate notes and a warm smoky depth create a sophisticated after-dark serve. (22% ABV | 100ml)
Old Fashioned
A timeless classic elevated with Wee Smoky’s signature smoke, orange zest and a perfectly balanced finish. (32.1% ABV | 100ml)
Manhattan
A premium, spirit-forward cocktail designed for slow sipping — bringing the cocktail bar experience home. (31.2% ABV | 100ml)
Grape-fruit-arita
A smoky take on the Paloma, blending pink grapefruit, lime and refreshing citrus flavours for summer drinking. (17% ABV | 100ml)
About Wee Smoky
Wee Smoky is an award-winning single-grain Scotch whisky created specifically for mixing cocktails. Designed to challenge traditional perceptions of Scotch, Wee Smoky combines Scottish craftsmanship with modern cocktail culture.
A wee bit smoky, full of flavour and made for creators, movers and shakers, Wee Smoky is whisky for people who don’t like whisky - yet.
Since launching in 2020, Wee Smoky has grown from selling out its first 400 bottles in four days to building international distribution across multiple global markets.
The brand’s ambition is to introduce Scotch to a new generation of drinkers and prove that smoky whisky has a place at the centre of global cocktail culture. For the RTD range, Wee Smoky will be working with the InchDairnie Distillery in Fife and their Pitlochie spirit with other ingredients sourced predominantly from the UK
About Rory Gammell
Wee Smoky was founded by Rory Gammell, who returned to Scotland after years working internationally to create a whisky brand that challenged Scotch’s traditional image.
Born from experimentation during lockdown with his wife Paulina, Wee Smoky was created to rescue smoky Scotch from the perception of being old-fashioned and exclusive — and bring it into the modern cocktail world.
Today, the brand continues that mission with its new RTD range: premium smoky cocktails designed to be discovered anywhere in the world.
