BADACHRO Distillery has doubled down on its commitment to growth at home and around the world with the appointment of an experienced business development manager.
Neil Stewart – well known in the spirits industry – has joined the Highland distillery to increase brand awareness and uptake in the UK and overseas.
The new appointment comes as Badachro Distillery was named exporter of the year at the Scottish final of the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards.
Neil said: “From the outside looking in, I could see the team at Badachro was doing things the right way, and it seemed like the sort of company I would like to be a part of.
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“The starting point is always the liquid itself, and in Badachro’s case it’s very good indeed. I have always liked the look and feel of the brand, and within just a couple of minutes speaking to Gordon [Quinn, MD] I knew that this was a product I believed in.”
Attracted by the quality of the drinks and the exciting prospect of working across a portfolio that includes award-winning whisky, gin and vodka, Neil brings with him two decades of experience with some of Scotland’s best known premium craft spirits and restaurants. His in-depth knowledge of the needs of on and off trade customers provides him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
After a short break from hospitality, his appointment at Badachro Distillery – now exporting to 10 countries and territories, as well as growing its UK audience – sees him return to the industry in which he made his name.
And it’s a return that sees him full of ambition. Neil said: “When you’ve got products as high quality as Badachro’s, the sky’s the limit. I’d like to see the distillery become a real destination for gin-loving tourists – while also increasing our presence in bars, restaurants, and hotels up and down the country.
“From cocktails to perfect serves, Badachro spirits are incredibly versatile – both in on-trade environments, and at home. In the coming months we’ll also work more closely with independent wine and bottle shops to grow the off-trade side of the business.
“Of course there’s also the export market, and we’re already having exciting conversations about new markets in Asia that align perfectly with the brand.”
Those conversations, past and present, about overseas growth contributed to Badachro Distillery’s recent awards success.
Gordon Quinn, managing director of Badachro Distillery, added: “The way spirit drinkers around the world have taken to our products has been incredible. From the Netherlands to Malta, Bermuda to Canada, we’re reaching more people than ever before – primarily with whisky, but there’s also a growing demand for our other spirits.
“Our focus on provenance and telling a story with our spirits strikes a chord with whisky, gin and vodka fans no matter where they’re based – it’s something that we feel really helps us stand apart from other distilleries in the area.
“The recognition from FSB for the work we’ve done in growing our brand overseas so far, coupled with Neil’s laser focus on growing all areas of the business going forward, means this is an incredibly exciting time for Badachro Distillery.”
Badachro Distillery in the western Scottish Highlands is home to a range of uniquely handcrafted whiskies, gins and vodkas that have gained a reputation for bold, complex flavours that leave you coming back for more. It is known primarily for its Badachro Gin, Dancing Puffin Vodka and Bad na h-Achlaise single malt scotch whisky – as well as a variety of other stellar craft spirits.
The distillery is a true family venture – founded by Gordon and Vanessa Quinn who met at the Badachro Inn and married just 12 weeks later. After travelling the world together, the pair returned to Badachro to follow their dream of setting up a distillery.
Find out more about Badachro Distillery at www.badachrodistillery.com, or follow the distillery on Instagram (@badachrodistillery), Twitter (@badachrospirits) or Facebook (/badachrodistillery).
