What’s the story?
In 2018, Hollywood director Greg Swartz had an idea to make a documentary about one of his life’s passions—Scotch whisky. He realised his dream, and The Water of Life: A Whisky Film was released in 2020.
Continuing the journey, Greg and his team encountered a complex seam of whisky discovery. Inevitably, they soon became fascinated in a particular sector in scotch malt whisky; that of the independent bottler.
From small concerns with single cask outturns to larger companies with warehousing, bonds and independently owned distilleries, it became apparent that there were many stories to be told in a unique industry.
In searching for a suitable event to launch their new project, they discovered that Scotland, remarkably, hadn’t yet created its own space to celebrate this independent whisky producer.
This led to the creation of Scotland’s first whisky festival celebrating the independent bottler.
It Started with a Whisky Film
Independent Spirits — Make it
The Docuseries
Created by the visionary team behind The Water of Life - A Whisky Film, this new series shines a spotlight on a lesser-known yet highly influential sector of the whisky world: Independent Bottlers.
Initially planned as a companion piece to *The Water of Life*, *Independent Spirits* evolved into a comprehensive four-part series, capturing the creativity, passion, and craftsmanship that drive this sector of the industry. The series is co-directed by Greg Swartz and Guy Satchwell, and produced by Blacksmith & Jones, the production company that Swartz co-owns with producer Trevor Jones.
Swartz shared insights into the making of the series: “One of the greatest challenges—and joys—was defining in an accessible way what indie bottlers do, and why they are such an important part of whisky’s story.”
Satchwell and Swartz have spoken with more than 50 prominent figures in the whisky industry, from giants like Gordon & MacPhail, Cadenheads, and Elixir, to innovative, smaller bottlers such as the Thompson Brothers and Single Cask Nation.
Independent Spirits — Build it
The Festival
Originally slated to premiere at the Glasgow Whisky Festival, the team shifted course after a conversation between Swartz and whisky YouTuber Aqvavitae (aka Roy Duff). The two had a shared light-bulb moment: Scotland lacked a dedicated festival for independent bottlers. Along with whisky writer David Stirk, they created the first-ever Independent Spirits Festival, a unique event designed to showcase this thriving segment of the whisky industry.
Both the festival and the docuseries are true celebrations—not only of the independent bottlers themselves, but of whisky as an art form, in Scotland and across the globe.
The one-day festival will take place at the Leith Theatre and the adjoining Thomas Morton Hall.
David Stirk said: “A festival dedicated to independent bottlers is the perfect way to bring together the companies and fans of this unique sector of the whisky industry. The combined premiere and gathering of the best-known independent bottlers will allow a spotlight on the most passionate fans, aficionados and advocates for whisky in all its guises. I am thrilled to be a part of the team bringing this together in Leith, a city with a long and important history, especially for Scotch whisky and independent bottling.”
Roy added: “Anyone in love with whisky only needs to glance at their shelf to realise how much we’ve come to rely upon the independent bottlers and distillers that exist today. As festivals struggle to accommodate the sheer numbers of brands in the space, it made sense to put together a festival that could cater not only for the launch of the film series, but also the like-minded bottlers that are its focus and their curious fans. It’s an exciting project indeed; roll on March 2025!”
