GLENCAIRN RECEIVES QUEENS AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE

Glencairn Crystal, has today announced that it has been awarded The Queen’s Award for International Enterprise, the highest accolade to be awarded to a British business.

Famous worldwide for their now iconic Glencairn whisky tasting glass, the company raises a toast to their third Queen’s Award since 2006, from the UK’s most prestigious business awards, celebrating their win as one of Scotland’s most successful family-owned and run companies of the past three decades.

The Glencairn family raising a glass

Founded back in 1980 by Raymond Davidson and now managed by Raymond’s sons, Paul and Scott Davidson, Glencairn has become of the most successful and pioneering businesses within both the whisky and packaging industries in the world.

Since it launched, Glencairn has grown its team to over 50 full time staff at their East Kilbride facility, with 3 million Glencairn whisky glasses (plus other crystal products) now reaching over 60 export markets globally.

Commenting on the news, Paul Davidson, Managing Director at Glencairn Crystal, said: “At Glencairn, we pride ourselves on the highest level of customer service, quality craftsmanship and above all else, treating our suppliers, employees and clients with extraordinary care and attention at all times. We believe in challenging ourselves to deliver a product that not only reflects our customer’s requirements and expectations - but exceeds them.

He went onto say: "The recognition that we have received from The Queen’s Award this year and in the past, helps to reinforce, not only our business and growth success, but also our management and development skills for the superb team we have within the business. We are delighted to be awarded such an incredible and highly esteemed award once again.”

Since 2012, company growth has trebled internationally, and as demand within the whisky industry continues to soar for bespoke glassware and high quality decanters, so do the opportunities arising for Glencairn’s global presence within the sector. 

Posted by Steve Rush

KARUIZAWA WHISKY COLLECTION SELLS AT AUCTION FOR £770,000

The world’s largest known collection of rare and collectable Karuizawa whisky from Japan, has been sold for £770,000 in an online auction hosted by Whisky Auctioneer.

The collection of 296 bottles, which had been built up over the last 10 years by a European collector, surpassed the pre-auction estimated value of around £500,000.

Karuizawa 1960 52 Year Old - Sold for £100,100

The auction which attracted worldwide attention, has resulted in more than 5093 bids for the bottles, resulting in 89 successful buyers from 19 different countries. A bottle of Karuizawa's 1960 52 Year Old, one of just 41 bottles originally released for £12,000 in 2013, sold for £100,100, setting a new UK and European record for a Japanese whisky.

Karuizawa has become one of the world’s most coveted whiskies since the distillery stopped production in 2000.The collection auctioned by Perth based Whisky Auctioneer, covered almost every expression created by the renowned Japanese distillery. It is the first time such an extensive collection has been made available for auction anywhere in the world.

According to rare whisky experts and analysts Rare Whisky 101, the RWK (Rare Whisky Karuizawa) Index, a selection of bottles from this now silent Japanese distillery, have increased in value by more than 300% since July 2013.

Commenting on the news, Iain McClune, Founder of Whisky Auctioneer said: “I don’t think we ever expected to have this much interest in our collection of Karuizawa, regardless of its rarity and collectability! Despite being a UK-based auction, only 37 of these bottles will remain on our shores. The international profile of the winning bids truly underline the global appeal of rare whisky at the moment, with these bottles soon heading off to 19 different countries, located across four different continents.”

The sale has been a huge success for the Perthshire based Whisky Auctioneer, which specialises in auctioning fine, old, rare and collectable whiskies via its website; whiskyauctioneer.com

Posted by Steve Rush

WILLIAM GRANT & SONS ACQUIRES TUTHILLTOWN SPIRITS

William Grant & Sons, has announced the acquisition of Tuthilltown Spirits, for an undisclosed sum.

Tuthilltown, which was New York State’s first distillery since prohibition, produces a number of craft spirits including the award-winning Hudson Whiskey.

William Grant & Sons acquires Tuthilltown Spirits

William Grant & Sons has acquired the entire 36-acre Tuthilltown facility which includes the distillery that produces Hudson and a variety of other local craft spirits brands, restaurant, visitor centre and scenic grounds with riverfront views.

Commenting on the news, Simon Hunt, William Grant & Sons’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “In 2010, William Grant & Sons bought the Hudson Whiskey brand as we were not only attracted to the possibilities within the American whiskey category but in particular, the authenticity of the Hudson brand and the excellence of the whiskey; the same is true of the distillery. The entire team at Tuthilltown bring an incredible passion to what they do and possess an entrepreneurial spirit that we will whole heartedly encourage.”

He went onto say: “In a short time, the craft distillery founded by Ralph Erenzo and Brian Lee quickly achieved acclaim having won numerous industry accolades and, given its historic association with the Hudson brand, the acquisition of the distillery is a logical addition to William Grant & Sons’ operations in the US. Ralph will still be very much involved in the business on a day to day basis collaborating and experimenting with our team of distillery experts and Master Blenders.”

Since launching in 2006, the Hudson Whiskey range has grown to include their award-winning Hudson Baby Bourbon, Hudson Manhattan Rye, Hudson Single Malt Whiskey, Hudson New York Corn Whiskey and Hudson Four Grain Bourbon expressions.

Posted by Steve Rush