Mark and I have over 40 years experience in the Scotch Whisky industry between us and, after many years of working for other people, we decided the time was right to start our own independent bottling company. This was in December 2019. A few months later we were seriously questioning the timing of our new venture! However, despite the challenging circumstances (to global pandemic, add a new baby and impending Brexit), we are absolutely delighted with how things are going so far.

After an incredibly successful Crowdfunder campaign in April 2020, we bottled our first cask (for Crowdfunders only) a few months later, followed by our first general release of 5 casks in September 2020. Two years on and we're now on cask number 50! We've bottled casks from 31 different distilleries and 8 different countries covering single malts, blended malts, single grains, blends, rums and Indian, Israeli and English whiskies. In the future we hope to expand this even more. Basically, as long as it tastes good and has spent time in a cask, then we’ll happily bottle it.

Campbeltown, as many whisky fans will know, has a rich distilling heritage. Once home to over 35 distilleries, there are now 3 working distilleries plus 2 new ones in the pipeline (and rumours of a few more) to continue this great tradition. Despite the vast numbers of distilleries that have been established here over the years, to our knowledge there has never been an independent bottler established in the town (Cadenhead’s moved here in 1972 from Aberdeen), until now anyway.

We’ve chosen Campbeltown as a base, not just because of its great whisky heritage but also because it’s our home! By setting up our business here, we hope to add to the already impressive whisky offering for visitors and to contribute to the local community and economy. Campbeltown has a thriving town centre and is very much on the up after an extensive town centre regeneration scheme. This was recognised when it was named ‘Scotland’s Most Improved Place’ at the recent SURF (Scotland’s Urban Regeneration Forum) Awards.

If you’re planning a visit, do check out Explore Campbeltown, the Kintyre 66 and the Discover Campbeltown app on Apple and Android. We’re not open to the public just yet but we may be able to accommodate private groups if given enough notice. We look forward to seeing you in Campbeltown sometime soon.

Slainte
Kate & Mark Watt
June 2022