Arbikie unveils ambitious US sales target

SCOTT WRIGHT

ARBIKIE, the Scottish craft distiller, has declared its ambition to generate sales of $500,000 (£380,000) in its first year of trading across the Atlantic.

The producer, which makes its gin and vodka exclusively from ingredients sourced on the Angus estate that the Stirling family have farmed for four generations, is moving into the US after securing a distribution deal with wine and spirit importer Nawrocki.

The initial focus of its US drive will be on Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. And as part of the sales effort the Arbikie brand last night sponsored The Children’s Monologues, a play about kids growing up in remote African townships directed by Danny Boyle of Trainspotting fame in New York.

All proceeds from the play, which stars Glasgowborn actor James McAvoy and Sienna Miller, will go towards supporting the work of charity Dramatic Need in South Africa.

Arbikie co-owner David Stirling, who will lead the sales drive from his US base, said: “Naively having hitched from Cape Town to Zanzibar when I was younger, I witnessed the real hardships of no running water, no electricity and extreme poverty on my travels.

“Arbikie are therefore honoured to supporting these endeavours and following in the footsteps of the world’ greatest philanthropist and Scot, Andrew Carnegie.”