Whitetail Spirits has launched the Isle of Mull’s first on-island distillery in 220 years. The historic move comes as the company is set to meet its ambitious growth objectives, following support from Business Gateway Argyll and Bute.
Business Gateway helped Whitetail Spirits access funding from the Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme, which is funded by Argyll and Bute Council and the European Regional Development Fund.
This support helped Whitetail Spirits purchase essential equipment and move its gin production in-house from London to Tiroran.
A new still will be used to produce smaller bottles and a diversified flavour range, giving Whitetail Spirits the capacity to produce 250 bottles a day.
Jamie Munro, founder of Whitetail Spirits said: “The funding support provided through Business Gateway gave us the incentive to proceed with the investment required to purchase our micro-still and grow our business. Thanks to their support, we are looking forward to increasing and diversifying our product range.
“More generally, we are excited to establish Mull’s first on-island distillery in over 200 years and move our production from London back to our family home.”
Named after Europe’s largest bird of prey, the business is based next to the White-tailed eagle’s nest at Tiroran Forest on the Isle of Mull. The distillery recently won a silver at the World Gin Awards 2019 and a silver at the International Spirits Challenge 2019.
Angela Vernel, Business Adviser with Business Gateway, said, “Whitetail’s expansion is a great indicator of the strength of demand for Scottish gin, both in the UK and worldwide. Jamie had already tapped successfully into this market but by recognising Business Gateway could help him with funding options for his growth business, he has been able to expand production. We look forward to continuing to work with him as the business grows.”
Whitetail Gin is sold in all UK Selfridges stores, 25 Co-op stores and 300 retail outlets across the UK as well as around 30 shops, bars and hotels on the Isle of Mull and online at whitetailgin.com. The company will launch a range of five liqueurs this summer, produced in the new on-island still.
