Adam Harding’s Post

“We are delighted to open two more European markets to support the growth of our brands with plans to open the Netherlands and Austrian markets before the end of the year,” said Louise Tevlin, e-commerce manager, Midleton Distillery Collection/Irish Distillers Irish Distillers pops open online shop to more European markets - Growing demand for Irish whiskey in Europe sees Midleton Distillery Collection available direct to consumers in Italy and Spain #irish #drinks #business #whiskey #ecommerce https://lnkd.in/empP88pQ

I've been thinking about the plight of the craft spirits industry a lot recently. Quite a bit of copy has been devoted to some doom and gloom scenarios posited by various industry pundits. I'm not here to rebut any of it, though I will say that I think it extends to the spirits industry at large and not just the "craft" guys. I primarily work in the world of whiskey so that's the lens I view the industry though. And let's face it: the fight for shelf space is going to get a lot tougher in the coming years. Everyone seems to be in expansion mode, especially the large players. We're also seeing a lot of contract distillers coming online to support the growing number of independent bottlers attempting to open up shop. All this was bound to happen. Sure, we say we learned our lesson from the industry errors of the 70's and 80's but have we really? In some regards I'm not so sure we have. In the next few years we are going to see a ton of bottles hitting the shelves, a lot of it similarly priced, categorized, and charactered. If we want to avoid the IPA-ization of our industry, I think smaller distilling firms need to think beyond the definitions of whiskey that have been set up by the big boys. Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt and all the rest can be so much more than what traditional SKU's have led us to believe. For too long (not naming names here) I believe many firms have tried to pass off ITERATION as INNOVATION and the whiskey category runs the risk of not moving forward; of eventually becoming...boring. There are definitely distillers out there doing the good work and trying to innovate - trying to offer the consumer new flavors and experiences. This is why I don't get too bogged down in the industry doom pieces we see pop up with increasing frequency these days (no matter how well intentioned and written they may be). I'm personally excited to see where whiskey is headed, both by my own projects and all the forward thinking distillers out there putting their own ideas into liquid action. I say keep your head up. The industry's best days really are ahead of us. https://lnkd.in/gYUwvUge

The stark reality of how hard it is to make an Irish Whiskey distillery work is sure to flood the wider distilling industry's feeds after today's announcement of Waterford Distillery being placed into receivership. This won't be surprising to many who are close to the industry here in Ireland as it was widely rumored that the business was in trouble. Without knowing its ins and outs, some lessons/reminders can be alluded to.... 1. It is incredibly cash-intensive to run any distillery, never mind one of this scale. With the ability to run at 1million LPA+, that's a lot of barley, a lot of water, a lot of energy to heat, a lot of casks to purchase, then fill, transport and store. Add in the expense of producing single farm spirits and your costs continue to increase. I wouldn't be sure of the exact figures but an educated guess would put it in the millions per year. 2. Creating an amazing brand, being bulletproof on your identity and releasing adventurous products isn't enough to make the business a success. I have critiqued Waterford in the past for releasing too many products and arguably overcomplicating the importance of its terroir project. Regardless of this, their recent focus on Cuveés has seen the release of some truly outstanding products... Too little, too late? Maybe, but there is certainly more to it than that. The lesson in that is, there're many brands popping up that don't have an ounce of the originality, authenticity, transparency or outright beauty (in terms of brand execution) that Waterford have, and if I were those brands, I'd be incredibly worried about the future of my product. Even with an apparent failure, Waterford Distillery set a standard that should be aspired to. 3. Mark Reynier cited that not having the right partner in the US caused a drop in sales in recent years, and through my work in the US I can attest to this. Your choice of distribution partner is vital to the success of your brand, you should be spending the time and whatever money you can doing market research, properly segmenting your potential markets and becoming laser-focused on your target partners. This should in turn feed into your positioning, allowing you then to set clear objectives for the business. I'm not saying that Waterford did or didn't do this, I'm saying that other young brands/businesses should. To bring my thoughts to a close, I hope this doesn't adversely affect their team too much as I know them to be graciously kind, fun and talented people. I will be massively shocked if this is the last we see of Waterford Distillery, I truly believe they were just beginning to land on a product proposition that was going to bring to life the great work their team had done to date in creating what I think is truly incredibly spirit, with an outstanding wood program that will eventually set the whiskey world alight. Perhaps one of our multinational friends will see this potential and fancy a bash at a comeback story... I know I'd be keen.

🏆 Stevie-winner Bluegrass Bottling launched just a week before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, starting with only two employees and one client. Despite the challenging timing, this woman-owned business has grown to serve over 75 brands and employ 22 people, all while focusing on the needs of small craft producers. When the pandemic forced them to put bottling spirits on hold, they quickly pivoted to producing hand sanitizer. Their ability to adapt, find new suppliers, and maintain fair pricing, even when costs rose, showed remarkable resilience. These early partnerships, formed in a time of crisis, continue to help drive their growth today. As the country reopened, Bluegrass Bottling shifted back to its original goal: bottling bourbon whiskey. They’ve since expanded their offerings to include vodka, gin, rum, and more, with no minimum case requirements—helping small distillers get their products to market. Their growth has been impressive, but their mission remains the same: to focus on their clients' success. In a male-dominated industry, Bluegrass Bottling stands out as a woman-owned company, fostering a culture of innovation and teamwork. As they continue to expand, their journey is one of resilience, growth, and dedication to supporting craft spirits. Bluegrass Bottling won a Bronze #StevieAward for Fastest Growing Company of the Year - Up to 100 Employees in The 2024 American Business Awards®. 🏆 Read the full blog ➡ https://hubs.ly/Q02Y4Gzf0

Bimber unveils first age-statement whiskies London distillery Bimber has launched two limited edition eight-year-old single malts – the first age-statement whiskies in its portfolio. The two expressions, Harmony of Eight and eight-year-old Single Cask Edition, are said to mark a new chapter for Bimber, reflecting eight years of dedication to traditional whisky-making methods. The Harmony of Eight is made with single-farm barley that has been floor-malted at Warminster Maltings and distilled in directly-fired copper pot stills. Aged in a combination of ex-Bourbon and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, the expression displays a ‘vibrant and fruit-forward profile,’ reflecting its eight years of maturation. Limited to 1,090 bottles presented at 50% ABV, Harmony of Eight will be available on the Bimber website from today (5 December) with an RRP of £130 (US$165). The second single malt, eight-year-old Single Cask Edition, is limited to 268 bottles and offered at 56.8% ABV. The whisky matured in an American oak ex-Bourbon cask, selected by the 2024 Bimber Klub tasting panel. The single-cask release was made available on 4 December exclusively for distillery members for £160 (US$203). Speaking of the launch of the two expressions, Ewelina Chruszczyk, director of Bimber, said: “We are immensely proud to introduce our first age-statement whiskies – a reflection of eight years of passion, precision, and unwavering dedication to our craft. These releases are more than just a measure of time; they embody the journey we’ve taken, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the bright future that lies ahead for Bimber.” Earlier this year, the distillery debuted its Shoulder of Giants single cask range. Bimber Distillery in Park Royal, London, was established in 2015 by Dariusz Plazewski. After his arrest in February 2024, Plazewski relinquished his responsibilities for the company’s two distilleries, Bimber and Dunphail.

What's in a name? If you poke around whisky cask investment sites for even a short amount of time, you will come across casks labelled with names like "Teithmill", "Blue Hill" or "Wardhead". A small amount of digging will lead you to the perplexing discovery that there are no distilleries under these names. So... where are these casks from? These are what are referred to as fillings or trade names. If you buy a cask of whisky which is labelled with a fillings name, there are restrictions on how you can label the liquid when it is bottled. Usually, the distillery cannot be mentioned by name even if you know for sure where it is from. In the case of Wardhead, it can only be bottled as a blended malt, not a single malt. There are other fillings which are similar in this regard. So, why do they exist? These brands essentially exist to protect the brands of the distilleries. Because their distillate is in someone else's care, they have no control over how it is matured, and eventually bottled. So should you consider buying one of these casks? Well the answer is, it depends. On the plus side, they are usually cheaper than a distillery branded cask. On the other hand, the reputation of the distillery is more difficult to leverage when labelling and selling the whisky. Some bottlers have worked out some slightly cheeky ways to get around this, but that is a story for another day! If you know, you know. Slainte!

Cara's part of a long Whisky Dynasty, so, as someone who's tried the most expensive Scotch, (as she heads-up a firm that actually BOTTLES it), you'd expect her 'Desert Island Drams' to be hyper-exclusive. No so. There's lots of 'supermarket' Scotch on her list and definitely proof that if you actually like DRINKING good Scotch Whisky, it's not that expensive. For instance, I topped up my own personal Decanter yesterday, with a really nice Blended Malt, that costs well under £20. Supermarket stuff. It's still nice. Drink it long this Summer, with ice and Soda, as a perfect (and less calorific) alternative to a Cold Beer. Cara shows there's also lots of rather good Scotch, you can drink neat, that you don't need to speak to a Broker about. So, there's Scotch Whisky that costs the same as a Car and there's Scotch Whisky that costs the same as a 'Slab' of beer. Both good, both filling a gap. With 145+ Distilleries and THOUSANDS on Brands to choose from, it's a very inclusive landscape! #ScotchWhiskyTruths

Why invest in American Single Malt Whiskey? The market is booming In just the last 10 years, the number of craft distilleries in this country has ballooned from around 100 to more than 2,000. The majority of which source from contract distillers. Experts are bullish on whiskey. They expect the global market to grow from $59.8 billion to $81.21 billion in value by 2025. Scotland has long dominated the market for single malt scotch. However, many American spirit consumers aren’t as enamored with its peaty flavor as their counterparts across the pond. The creation of American single malt whiskey provides a unique opportunity. American distilleries can convert non-single malt scotch drinkers into new consumers. Capitalizing on this opportunity would bring a new wave of whiskey drinkers. The TTB establishing and protecting this new category with a federally recognized standard also gives credence to its immense growth potential. Straightforward exit strategy You're investing in whiskey that is still in the distilleries that supply whiskey brands. These brands are then contractually obliged to buy your whiskey after it ages to bottle it and sell at a premium. Fully insured & owned by you We store casks on your behalf and issues you an ownership certificate. Even if we go out of business, you retain the ownership of your whiskey. And the returns are amazing. #americansinglemalt #asm Beverage Solutions || Big Dog New York LLC

Where to start with Independent Bottlings: There are several benefits when comparing independent bottlings to distillery bottlings. 1. Independent bottlings are usually single casks or small batch releases. There is a focus solely on the flavour of the whisky, as opposed to distilleries ensuring consistency and repeatability across successive large batches of a core product. 2. They are often cask strength and naturally presented. Whilst some independent bottlers release whisky watered down to a pre-determined drinking strength, many will simply barrier filter any bits out of the whisky, and bottle it at cask strength. They rarely chill-filter or colour their whisky (practices sometimes employed by the industry which I will go into in another post), so the whisky is presented in its most natural form. It is worth noting though, cask strength whisky can be pretty potent stuff! Do not be dissuaded from watering it down to a strength at which you can enjoy it. The point of a cask strength whisky is that you can determine the strength you want to drink it at. It doesn't mean that the whisky is perfect for everyone as is. 3. Independent bottlers champion distilleries with little or no core range. This is perhaps my favourite thing about independent bottlings. They shine a light on distilleries which would otherwise be unknown to single malt drinkers. For many distilleries, the majority of their output is destined for blended whiskies. If not for independent bottlers bottling their whisky as single malt, they would not have the cult followings they do. ------------------------------------------------------------------ So, where to start! Here are a few distilleries who owe their status in the whisky community mainly to independent bottlers. Some do have a few distillery bottlings, but the independent bottlings are something else!: - Clynelish - Ben Nevis - Mortlach - Longmorn - Blair Athol - Glentauchers - Ardmore - Caol Ila And here are a few independent bottlers to check out. There are many more, but these are a good starting point.: - Gordon & Macphail - Signatory Vintage - Cadenheads - Berry Bros. & Rudd - The Whisky Agency - Thompson Bros. - Scotch Malt Whisky Society (membership required to buy) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Questions? Comment or DM. Let's talk whisky!

10 Things You Should Know About New Riff Distilling When New Riff Distilling founder Ken Lewis got his start in the alcohol business, it was only meant to be temporary. In the 1980s at 24, he was teaching high school English when his father asked for his help operating a small local liquor store called Liquor Outlet. Despite his plan to help around the store for only a year before returning to teach, Lewis uncovered a love for the beverage industry and transformed the shop from a simple booze purveyor to a one-stop shop for all things festive. A few years later, Lewis was the owner of the Liquor Outlet, which had since expanded to six stores and was rebranded as The Party Source. There, Lewis met and befriended Jay Erisman, The Party Source’s fine-spirits manager. Having observed American whiskey’s success, it didn’t take long for the duo to think up a whiskey brand of their own, which would riff on old bourbon-making traditions. In 2014, they set up shop across the parking lot from The Party Source to establish New Riff Distilling in Newport, Ky., a distillery committed to producing spirits in accordance with the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act. Now that you know the basics, here are 10 more things to know about New Riff Distilling. New Riff Distilling is entirely family-owned. When planting roots for New Riff’s operations, it was critical for Lewis and Erisman to have complete control to ensure quality never took a hit for short-term gains. The two co-founders took on no external partners, investors, or shareholders when building their distillery from the ground up. To this day, New Riff remains entirely family-owned and -operated. The distilling operation has roots in the brewing industry. While the two co-founders were putting together the distillery’s team, they knew they didn’t want to build a staff entirely of bourbon industry vets. While training Larry Ebersold — New Riff’s consulting master distiller, nicknamed the “godfather of rye whiskey” — he recommended Lewis and Erisman consider hiring a brewer. After all, a whiskey’s flavor begins with fermentation, and brewers know fermentation. Coincidentally, Brian Sprance had just departed from Boston Beer following half a decade making Sam Adams, and was looking for something new. He joined New Riff in 2014 as its first head distiller, using his brewing knowledge to produce unique mash bills incorporating malted oats, pale ale malts, chocolate malts, and more. In January 2024, Brian Sprance was named New Riff’s first master distiller. The distillery is built atop an ancient aquifer, which makes for an ideal water source. Water is important in any kind of distillation, which is why it’s vital for brands to have access to a quality water source Luckily, New Riff’s distillery sits just 100 feet above an ancient aquifer created by the same glaciation that formed the Ohio River Valley. To determine whether or not the water would be suitable for whiskey di..