Slange Var, the award-winning Scottish drinks brand, has announced its intention to pursue a sale of the brand and associated assets.
The Glasgow-based company boasts a robust intellectual property portfolio, including internationally registered trademarks for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food products.
The company is also considering limited brand licensing opportunities, including regional licensing for international markets or product-specific collaborations.
Slange Var – the phonetic rendering of the Scottish Gaelic for “cheers to your health”. – was recently listed in the Metis IP100, an international index that ranks IP-rich companies, based on the quality and commercial potential of their intellectual property portfolios.
This, combined with the brand’s award-winning recipes and compelling brand story, makes Slange Var a highly attractive opportunity for the right strategic buyer, according to founder Sarah Dougan.
The company has not placed a minimum value on the proposed sale, which includes internationally registered trademarks, recipes, domain names, and associated digital assets.
Dougan cited other high-value brand sales, such as whisky.com, which sold for US$3.1 million in 2014 and wine.com, which sold for US$3.3 million in 2003.
She believes it is a lucrative brand for an international drinks’ producer, particularly one selling into markets with a large Scottish diaspora, such as North America, Australia and New Zealand.
She said: “Slange Var is a brand with incredible potential, just waiting for the right partner to take it to the next level.
“We have worked with care and conviction to build a brand that reflects Scottish heritage, quality, and a strong commitment to sustainability that extends beyond the bottle.
The Internet has transformed the global trade in trademarked brands, adding huge value to companies with recognised, easily memorable names through SEO and social media reach.
James Espey OBE, a shareholder in Slange Var, said: “No longer is a brand name simply a catchy title; it’s a digital asset with tangible, and often hefty, price tags attached.
“Before the internet, building a brand was a laborious process, often confined to geographical boundaries.
“Today, the digital landscape offers instant global reach, enabling brands to connect with millions, cultivate communities, and foster loyalty with unprecedented speed and efficiency.”
Espey, who has helped to develop some of the world’s most successful drinks brands, including Baileys Irish Cream, Malibu, Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, added: “A memorable, relevant domain name is the digital equivalent of prime real estate property.
“It acts as a direct conduit to a brand’s online presence, influencing SEO rankings, user experience, and brand recall. Securing a premium domain name can offer an invaluable head start in the digital marketplace.”
Slange Var was founded in 2015 by Dougan, an entrepreneur and former lecturer in business, and her husband Charles.
After securing a grant from Scottish Enterprise and partnering with Camden BRI, the couple developed a premium, low-sugar, non-alcoholic drink designed to offer a refreshing, grown-up alternative for moments traditionally associated with alcohol —such as winding down at the end of the day or socialising without alcohol.
Dissatisfied with existing low- and no-alcohol options, they crafted their own blend of lime, ginger, honey, cider vinegar, and water.
The drink was entered at the SIP competition in California where over 300 judges awarded the top prize of the Consumers’ Choice Award.
Amid global economic headwinds—following Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis prompted by the war in Ukraine – the founders made a strategic decision to pause production and focus on strengthening Slange Var’s global IP portfolio and brand equity, ensuring it is positioned for long-term success.
This involved securing registrations in key markets like the UK, EU, US, Australia, and Japan, with pending applications in Canada and India.
Dougan said: “Our goal is to find a buyer who shares our vision for the brand and recognises Slange Var’s strategic value.
“In addition to exploring a full acquisition, we are also open to discussions with partners interested in licensing the brand, including regional licensing for international markets or product-specific collaborations.
“Licensing offers an alternative route for partners to build on Slange Var’s brand equity, sustainability credentials, and global trademark coverage while tailoring execution to local markets or distribution channels.”
