Finn Thomson, A Whisky Legacy Shared

A whisky family’s story is often measured not only by the bottles it releases, but by the generations who protect, preserve and carry it forward.

In Perthshire, Finn Thomson stands alongside his father Andrew and grandfather Michael, three generations connected by a whisky tradition that has shaped the Thomson family for more than three centuries.

At the centre of that tradition is Finn Thomson, the ninth-generation custodian of a family connection to Scotch whisky built through distilling, blending, trading and the careful selection of exceptional casks.

Few independent bottlers carry a history quite like Finn Thomson Whisky.

A Family Written Into Scotch Whisky History

The Thomson whisky story begins long before Scotch whisky became a global industry.

In 1772, James Thomson, Finn’s sixth great-grandfather, was producing illicit spirit on the family farm at Dunvorist, near Grandtully in Perthshire. Like many early whisky makers of the time, his work existed outside the law, hidden from the watchful eye of excise officers.

It was a period when whisky making was shaped by necessity, resourcefulness and a determination to preserve traditional craft.

Generations later, the family moved from secrecy into legitimacy.

Following the passing of the Excise Act of 1823, licensed whisky production began to flourish across Scotland. In 1825, Grandtully Distillery was established, and by 1838 it had become part of the Thomson family’s whisky journey through Donald and James Thomson, cousins of Finn’s ancestor Alexander Thomson.

The Thomsons had moved from producing whisky in hidden stills to making spirit openly, marking an important new chapter in the family’s relationship with Scotch whisky.

From Perth Merchant to Whisky Pioneer

As the whisky industry expanded during the 19th century, so did the Thomson family’s influence.

Alexander Thomson established himself as a licensed grocer, wine and spirits merchant in Perth, building a business that would become closely connected with the growing whisky trade.

Through his association with Grandtully Distillery, the Thomson name became increasingly linked with whisky production, blending and selection.

That tradition continued into the next century.

In the early 1900s, Peter Thomson expanded the family’s whisky interests through blending and whisky distribution. Among his creations was Old Perth, a whisky brand that became highly regarded among Scottish publicans and whisky drinkers for its quality and strong malt character.

The name Old Perth carries particular significance today.

Originally created by the Thomson family, Old Perth was later acquired by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, who revived the historic name and re-established it as a modern expression of blended malt Scotch whisky.

It is a connection that brings together two respected whisky families whose histories have been shaped by blending, independent thinking and a commitment to quality.

For Select Scotch Whisky, that connection carries additional meaning.

Our long-standing relationship with Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers has always been built around a shared appreciation for whisky with provenance and purpose. Welcoming Finn Thomson Whisky to the portfolio continues that same philosophy, introducing another name with deep roots in Scotch whisky.

The Casks That Waited

By the latter half of the 20th century, the Thomson family’s focus shifted towards whisky stocks, relationships and the careful preservation of exceptional casks.

Finn’s grandfather, Michael Thomson, played a significant role in this chapter, quietly building and laying down a collection of rare casks that would later become the foundation of the family’s next generation of whisky releases.

Those casks required patience.

Great whisky cannot be rushed, and exceptional spirit deserves the time needed to develop its full character.

Andrew Thomson later became the guardian of those resting casks, maintaining and protecting the collection through the decades while preserving the opportunity for the family’s whiskies to eventually be shared.

For years, those bottles remained a promise waiting to be fulfilled.

That moment arrived when Andrew, alongside his son Finn and daughter Sorcha, decided the time had come to share those whiskies once again.

A New Custodian of a Family Story

Today, Finn Thomson represents the ninth generation of a family connected to Scotch whisky.

His role is not simply to release old whisky. It is to understand the character behind each cask and allow exceptional spirit to reach its full potential.

As Master Bottler, Finn personally evaluates each whisky, deciding when a cask has reached the balance, character and maturity required for release.

That philosophy sits at the heart of independent bottling.

The best independent bottlers do not attempt to change what whisky has become.

They recognise when time has already done the work.

Through Finn Thomson Whisky, a family connection to Scotch whisky that began centuries ago in Perthshire continues with carefully selected single malts, rare casks and a commitment to preserving the individuality of each whisky.

Rather than seeking to redefine whisky, Finn Thomson’s approach is focused on recognising when a whisky has reached its perfect moment.

Select Scotch Whisky Welcomes Finn Thomson Whisky

Select Scotch Whisky welcomes Finn Thomson Whisky to its portfolio, introducing Australian whisky enthusiasts to a remarkable whisky family with a story that spans generations.

The arrival represents more than the introduction of another independent bottler.

It is the continuation of a relationship with Scotch whisky built over centuries, where patience, provenance and careful selection remain at the heart of every release.

The first Australian allocation will feature nine carefully selected expressions from Finn Thomson Whisky, showcasing the breadth of the brand’s approach to independent bottling.

Together, these whiskies offer Australian enthusiasts the opportunity to explore the range and discover the distinctive character each expression carries.

A First Taste of Finn Thomson

To celebrate the arrival of Finn Thomson Whisky in Australia, Select Scotch Whisky will host a special tasting experience showcasing six expressions from the range.

The event will provide whisky enthusiasts with the opportunity to explore the collection in detail, discovering the stories behind each expression and the philosophy that guides the Thomson family’s approach to independent bottling.

Subject to availability, Finn Thomson will join the tasting virtually as host, offering guests a rare opportunity to hear directly from the custodian of this remarkable whisky family.

For those attending, it will be an opportunity to experience the first chapter of Finn Thomson Whisky’s Australian story while sharing the journey directly with the people behind the name. Purchase your tasting pack and join the tasting here.

A Legacy Shared Once Again

The arrival of Finn Thomson Whisky in Australia represents more than the introduction of another independent bottler.

It marks the continuation of a whisky tradition that began generations ago in Perthshire, carried forward through changing times by a family whose connection with Scotch whisky has never been lost.

Through carefully selected casks and a commitment to preserving the individuality of each whisky, Finn Thomson brings a remarkable family tradition to a new generation of whisky enthusiasts.

For Australian whisky lovers, that tradition can now be discovered one bottle at a time.