The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
USA distribution deal brings boost for Arbikie Distillery
EXPANSION: Key international market targeted by Angus drinks firm
An Angus-based luxury spirits producer has landed a “substantial” distribution deal that will see its brands exported to selected states in the USA.
Arbikie Distillery says the deal is expected to attract minimum sales of six figures in the first 12 months.
The distribution contract is the latest development in the firm’s growth strategy of developing overseas revenues, which now sees the familyowned drinks company exporting to 15 countries.
The deal comes as the firm celebrates its fifth anniversary and underlines its focus on cities in North America and Asia renowned for their cocktails such as New York, Toronto and Shanghai.
Us-based Arbikie director David Stirling said: “We are delighted to have agreed this landmark export distribution deal as we celebrate 2020 and our fifth birthday.
“Our aim has always been to disrupt the luxury spirits market by stressing the traceability of our base ingredients and how these impact on flavour.
“Our philosophy has always been about sustainability, innovation and quality, and our global consumers are very much buying into the opportunity to trace the ingredients in their spirits.
“It’s extremely important to us that consumers know where the produce comes from, and we can literally show them the field the ingredients are grown in.”
Arbikie has developed a field-to-bottle spirits production, with key ingredients for its products grown on its 2,000-acre estate north of Arbroath.
Crops include potato, barley, wheat and rye, as well as cultivating its own juniper, chillies and gin botanicals.
Mr Stirling added: “The growing desire for provenance and traceability of ingredients is very now and this new deal reflects this trend.”
The company’s Visitor Experience facility is expected to open this summer and includes an exhibition space, shop and cafe and a private VIP bar with panoramic views of Angus.