Helen Chalmers and Robert Hicks
Helen Chalmers and Robert Hicks

Tiny distillery clinches international sales deals

The Ullapool-based Highland Liquor Company is celebrating after securing the first international orders of their acclaimed Seven Crofts gin to Canada and eastern Europe.

The new contracts will see around 700 cases sent initially 4000 bottles of gin with the prospect of further orders later in the year – less than two years after the company’s first spirit, Seven Crofts, was launched.

Robert Hicks, co-founder of the Highland Liquor Company, said: ‘It’s a dream come true to see demand emerging from premier brand distributors overseas, something we always hoped for but has happened far quicker than expected. It’s testament to the hard work of our team, particularly over what has been such a difficult time for the industry.

‘Our base here in Ullapool goes to the heart of our what we do: in terms of flavours, brand and overall approach. Given the village’s history and it’s links with East Europe in the past through fishing, and Canada through emigration it’s fitting these are our first overseas markets.’

Based in the small fishing town of Ullapool in the north-west Highlands, each small batch of Seven Crofts gin is handcrafted.

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, Seven Crofts is named after the original seven private dwellings which formed Ullapool in 1791 and is a blend of seven botanicals including juniper, coriander, pink peppercorns, cubebs, cardamom, angelica and fresh lemon peel.

Helen Chalmers and Robert Hicks

The Highland Liquor Company works carefully with traditional botanicals to ensure they’ve time to release their optimal aromas and flavours. Some of these are steeped for a period of time; others require a more careful approach and are steamed to preserve their delicate character. The gins are distilled in two small copper alembic stills, Little Ella and Little Ruthie over a period of three days.

In their search for a distinctive bottle which would reflect the local landscape, the couple worked closely with Glasgow based design company D8 and the Italian bottle manufacturers to create a classic, tall, genever style bottle with a forest green ombre. The design also won the Best New Launch Design at the World Gin Awards 2020 for originality.

Seven Crofts Gin retails at £40 for 70cl bottle and is available online at www.highlandliquorcompany.com as well as in selected specialist retailers and bars.

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