Glenlaird Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Earlier this year Stravaig Spirits were approached by a South Korean importer to fulfil their ever growing market demand for single malt Scotch whisky. At the time, we had just bottled our second realease of Tri Carragh single cask whisky. Due to the limited nature of our products we weren’t able to help bring them the volumes they required of our single cask releases. But having spent some time learning and understanding more about their requirements and the nature of the market in South Korea, we decided to embark on a new brand of single malt whisky at the volumes required while still using the same methodology as we always do when selecting our casks for Tri Carragh.
Introducing Glenlaird Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Working closely with the importer to create a product that would enter the South Korean market quickly, confidently and successfully. 12,000 bottles of 10 year old and 12 year old Highland single malt were sent on the 1st June from our wonderful bottler, QAS in Kirkcaldy by shipping container to Seoul.
Possibly one of the most difficult things to predict is the ever changing cost of the spirit and it’s availability. Fluctuating weekly, finding quality aged whisky that was available to sample at the right price is certainly the trickiest part. As we’re still a very new/young company, we’re buying young stock now and laying it down for long term maturation but until that’s ready, we’re paying the premium that comes with buying already mature casks/bulk spirit. Until the invoice was raised and paid, the cost of liquid can keep changing.
We chose the tall round glass style most typically used for whisky. It’s cost effective and considering the changing price of liquid, we needed to maintain consistent price and availability which is easiest when using a standard style of glass. It enables us to bulk order and also plan and budget for future batches.
We have Studio Hart to thank for the design of the labels and boxes. Creating a very ‘Scottish’ brand was ultimately the aim for the South Korean market. Something that immediately could be identified as Scotch without a second glance on the shelves of bars and shops.
We also have the incredibly talented Georgina at Studio Hart (www.studiohart.co.uk) to thank for doing all of our photography and the website design too. We’re hoping to expand Glenlaird Single Malt Scotch Whisky into other markets in 2024, so an online presence was essential as a foundation for the brand.
Each future batch of Glenlaird may well be from a different maturation, age and region in Scotland – for scale and flexibility, keeping the print design uniform across the 10 year old and 12 year old and having the changeable elements in gold foil would give us the ability to scale up and minimise costs when orders increase and bulk purchasing of material makes financial sense. As advised by our fabulous printers Swift & Swift who were great at delivering the cartons, both in quality and at a good price.
First time shipping to South Korea and the inevitable customs procedures and documents that arise – even for shipping Ex-works (meaning that the buyer deals with the booking and all costs relating to the shipment from the point of collection). We still have an obligation to support our buyer with the documents which will enable them to import the goods at the destination country. South Korea has had a trade agreement with the UK since 2020, so by applying to HMRC for approved exporter status we are now able to export goods from the UK to countries with trade agreements and provide customers with reduced or nil rate of Customs Duty.
Unexpected things do crop up with any projects, for us having previously dealt with single casks, the volumes involved here were significantly higher so we were prepared for the challenges. Open and constant communication with everyone involved and a willingness to learn is key. It certainly helped us maintain control and meet a strict deadline for the client.