Group cites anticipated combined turnover of £16 million across Scotch whisky and travel businesses
A group of veteran whisky entrepreneurs have combined forces to launch MBH Holding, an independent Scottish spirits group operating across Scotch whisky, independent bottling, branded products, travel, cask ownership and rare spirits. The Edinburgh based group has been formed to combine the expertise of founders Charlie MacLean (MBE), Vikki Bruce, Jamie Burke, Liam Hughes and Mike Hayward.
The group has an anticipated combined turnover of £16 million, and an estimated £5 million market value in casks and bottles. MBH said it has been established with a long-term, sustainable growth strategy, combining established revenue-generating Scottish businesses with physical assets, new premium brands and a disciplined acquisition plan.
The group will maintain its Scottish headquarters and identity while targeting international markets with a range of premium whisky, rare spirits and whisky tourism. The founders cited the long-term strength of the Scotch whisky ecosystem and the opportunity to consolidate a fragmented market.
The founders have collectively over the last 20 years founded and operated Maclean & Bruce, Strathearn Distillery and The Glasgow Distillery Company amongst other businesses. MBH brings together established, revenue-generating businesses, significant whisky and spirits assets and an experienced management team.
Alongside developing its existing operations and brands, the group intends to pursue selective acquisitions of complementary whisky and spirits businesses, independent bottlers, mature and rare cask portfolios, established brands, and consumer and travel businesses.
Co-founder Liam Hughes said: “Our intention is to build a substantial independent Scottish spirits group of scale – headquartered in Scotland, creating jobs in Scotland, and exporting premium Scottish products globally.
“We have the operational team, the assets and the infrastructure – we will now deploy that selectively.”
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Co-founder Vikki Bruce added: “This is a Scottish growth story. We have combined established businesses with real heritage, and through M&B Whisky and M&B Travel, we have a direct link between Scotland’s whisky story and consumers from around the world.”
MBH controls a substantial portfolio of casks, including stock that has been maturing for over 40 years, and is in active discussions regarding the acquisition of substantially more whisky assets. The group is already in early-stage discussions with several target assets and a select number of potential investors.
Future capital investment will be deployed selectively to support acquisitions, expand the cask asset base, develop a branded premium product range and accelerate international expansion. MBH founders will retain all existing staff as part of the newly formed group and expects to increase headcount significantly as it expands.
