Ian Macleod (Tamdhu and Glengoyne) acquires Spencerfield Spirit Company

With the fusion of Ian Macleod Distillers and the Spencerfield Spirit Company two family companies merge that had already been working close together during the last years. Ian Macleod has been distributer of products of the Spencerfield Spirit Company as for example the blended Scotch whiskies „Pig’s Nose“ and „Sheep Dip“. Now they acquire Spencerfield Spirit Company and make the labels part of its own portfolio. But of slightly more importance – even if not for whisky lovers - is probably the acquirement of Edinburgh Gin, an aspiring, high quality gin label.

The independent bottler Ian Macleod Distillers is the owner of the Scottish whisky distilleries Tamdhu and Glengoyne and of famous whisky labels such as Chieftain’s, Dun Bheagan or Smokehead. The company registered increasing growth during the last years. It also has established on the gin, vodka and rum market with its labels King Robert II and Atlantico Rum. With the acquisition of the Spencerfield Spirit Company this portfolio is widened and strengthened.

Edinburgh Gin joined Spencerfield Spirit’s blended Scotch whiskies

Spencerfield Spirit Company was founded by Jane and Alex Nichols. Alex worked in the whisky business before and was employed at Whyte & Mackay and afterwards at Glenmorangie as Marketing Director. The company developed the blended Scotch whisky Sheep Dip already in 1970, the Pig’s Nose followed three years later. Both whiskies were awarded several prizes, but in 2010 the Nichols’ achieved their biggest success by releasing the Edinburgh Gin. Meanwhile a second distillery in Leith supplements the bar distillery and visitor center in Edinburgh.

By selling the Spencerfield Spirit Company to Ian Macleod Distillers the Nichols open the way for its labels to grow and take profit from investments and strong channels of distribution of the new owner. During the following months they with work close together with Ian Macleod Distillers to ensure a smooth transition.

About the author Petra Milde

Petra Milde is a freelance author of books and specialist writing about spirits and food. She has been supporting the Whisky.de editorial team since 2015 and creates informative and entertaining articles in the news section.

Besides her writing work, she moderates tastings and can be met at spirits fairs, both behind the stands and in front of them, looking for new products and interesting people to talk to.

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