Pig’s Nose 2017
70cl / 40%
£79.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
A smooth and approachable blended Scotch whisky, Pig's Nose is crafted by The Spencerfield Spirit Company (TSSC) and aged for 5 years before bottling at 40% ABV. Known for its mellow character and easy-drinking profile, this 700ml expression offers a well-balanced taste that appeals to both whisky newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
With its playful name and reliable quality, Pig's Nose is a versatile choice for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in classic whisky cocktails.
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2017-packaged version of Richard Paterson’s famously soft, high-malt-content 5-year-old blend, refreshed that year to look more “craft” while staying at 40% and ~£23.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Bottler / Brand Owner | The Spencerfield Spirit Company (original); brand associated with the creators of Sheep Dip |
| Category | Blended Scotch whisky |
| Age / Bottled | 5 Years Old / Bottled 2017 (packaging refresh) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV, 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Blend built on mainly ex-bourbon matured components (malt from Speyside, Islay, Lowlands; grain largely from Invergordon) |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer (colouring typical for the segment) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer (assume filtered) |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Ongoing brand, not limited |
| Intended channel | Supermarket/specialist mid-tier, gift packs (with glasses) |
| Packaging | 2017 redesign with more craft-forward look and pig graphic; also gift set with 2 glasses |
| Notes on discrepancies | Some listings simply say “Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky” without year; the 2017 date is tied to the packaging refresh and to the 2017 Whiskybase entry, so note year in your copy if you want that exact iteration |
Historical Context
Pig’s Nose was originally created in 1977 by Richard Paterson as a softer, sweeter alternative to the entry-level blends of the time – “as soft as a pig’s nose” is the tag line. By 2017 the brand, along with Sheep Dip, got a packaging refresh to underline its indie/craft credentials and to make the story clearer on-shelf: high malt content, gentle and approachable, good for mixing but tasty neat. That 2017 bottling is what shows up in databases as a 5-year-old, 40%, 70cl, and it is what European online retailers list today in the low-20s GBP equivalent. In parallel, a gift-pack variant with two glasses is also sold, using the same liquid.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
Documented variants (2017 era)
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Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky, 5 years old, 40%, 70cl, bottled 2017.
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Pig’s Nose gift pack 2017, 70cl + 2 glasses, 40%.
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Earlier/no-year Pig’s Nose at broadly the same spec.
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Later bottlings under the same name, still at 40%, 70cl, same age.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 70cl | UK/EU, 2017 refresh | Updated label, 5 years, “as soft as…” story | Core |
| 40% | 70cl + 2 glasses | Gift/travel 2017 | Box with glasses | Slightly higher (presentation) |
| 40% | 70cl | Pre-2017 | Older label | Condition/nostalgia only |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Front should say Pig’s Nose and (for 2017 entry) 5 Year Old.
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40% and 70cl should be visible.
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For 2017 packs, the refreshed label will look cleaner/more modern than older bottles.
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Gift sets: check both glasses present.
Regulatory/terminology notes
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5 Year Old is a legal age statement.
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It is a standard 40% blend; no NCF, no cask-strength language should be added.
Liquid Profile (from published brand notes)
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Nose: Sweet and malty, with butterscotch, soft wood, a little pine freshness, and gentle fruit.
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Palate: Soft and rounded (true to name), with malt biscuit, vanilla, light spice and a touch of smoke from the Islay component.
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Finish: Medium, sweet, clean, with lingering vanilla and grain.
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With water: Not necessary at 40%.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
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2017-onward UK retail (The Whisky Exchange-style): about £22.95 for 70cl, 40%, 5-year-old.
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Continental sites list it around the same level in EUR, translating to £20–£23.
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Gift packs with glasses will run a bit higher, usually £25–£30.
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Because it is an everyday blend, auction resale is rare and usually only in mixed lots.
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Stratification: single bottle at ~£23 is the norm; gift pack above; old label same price but slower.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK online retail | 70cl, 40%, 5yo, 2017 label | 22–23 | Current norm |
| EU retail | 70cl, 40% | 20–22 eq. | Currency-driven |
| Gift pack with 2 glasses | 70cl, 40% | 25–30 | Presentation premium |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Pig’s Nose and Sheep Dip share ownership roots and positioning: approachable, slightly tongue-in-cheek names, but with real whisky content (Pig’s Nose with relatively high malt). The core components listed – Speyside, Islay, Lowland malts plus Invergordon grain in ex-bourbon – are classic blended-Scotch building blocks, and the 2017 restyle was aimed at telling that story on the label more clearly.
Sourcing
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Target: 2017-label 70cl bottles, clean caps, no shop wear.
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For gift sets: confirm both glasses and the correct bottle.
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Because the shelf price is around £23, buying at £16–£18 trade/wholesale gives you workable margin; buying at retail to resell is not attractive unless you bundle.
