Partnership from the start

Strangely, it probably started in a carpark on Islay following the reopening of Bruichladdich Distillery. We spent some time calculating the costs of owning our own cask, bottling it and enjoying the contents. Back then, whisky was just our passion, but Julie's subsequent years of experience  working in the industry meant that we could add know-how and expertise.

Julie's love of whisky is well-known, but her background in the chemical, water and environmental sectors made her well-suited for taking on complex roles in the industry and delivering the sector's first sustainability strategy - something she is rightly hugely proud of.

But Whisky is more than simply a job. It has piqued our interest in other categories and has driven our travel plans – from looking at casks in Jerez to visiting distilleries all over the world from France to Taiwan. It has shaped our friendships and made many happy occasions even more special. 

As you would expect, we've been developing our understanding of the industry from the inside to build on Julie’s direct knowledge of the way the industry works . We've spent time putting in shifts at distilleries  to get first-hand experience and help where we can. Beyond that, there's also the professional courses from the likes of UHI Moray and the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

Two things: genuine long-term partnerships with newer distillers to grow their offering of  premium products; and quality spirits for consumers to enjoy.

Now that's a tough question! Variety is the spice of life, so we like to match the dram to the occasion. And it’s always great to find a new expression of an old favourite or uncover something completely new. A great whisky with friends and family is always one to savour.