As arduous to imagine as it might be, it’s now been greater than a decade since Kirsty, and I based GreatDrams. In that period of time, an insane quantity has modified on the earth, not to mention our beloved impartial bottling enterprise.
Having bought by means of Brexit, a world pandemic, rising rates of interest, double-digit inflation, responsibility hike after responsibility hike, international conflicts, and numerous different obstacles, not solely are Kirsty and I nonetheless smiling, we really feel the GreatDrams model is stronger than ever. That’s one thing we’re extremely happy with.
Virtually 4 years in the past now, we featured a bit on our weblog taking a look at what it means to be an indie bottler. As a consequence of what was occurring on the time, the tone of that weblog was rather more severe (we positively had our enterprise heads on after we printed it). In the present day, I believed I’d revisit this theme, however in additional of a light-hearted trend.
As severe as whisky is, it’s about having fun with your self and having enjoyable. Due to that, right here’s an replace, of an replace, as we check out the “reality” and I exploit that time period very loosely, about working an impartial whisky enterprise.
Most Upcoming Budgets Fill Us with Dread
We attempt to not discuss politics an excessive amount of, for apparent causes, however traditionally, UK governments haven’t been particularly type to these within the spirits enterprise. Each time we hear the phrases ‘alcohol responsibility charges’ talked about on the information, it sends a shiver down our spines and makes the very blood in our veins flip to ice.
Okay, I could also be being a tad dramatic there, however severely, it not often goes properly for us. Usually, the UK has two Budgets, one in spring, and one in autumn. Normally, at the least one entails one more alcohol responsibility price enhance, which after all impacts us tremendously. Not solely does it enhance the price of manufacturing, it additionally impacts our clients, the hospitality sector, our enterprise, and even the economic system.
As I write this, we’re a couple of weeks away from the subsequent funds, and each time I see that dreaded crimson field (let’s be actual, it’s a briefcase) on the tele, I cross my fingers and hope the booze business generally, will get by unscathed.
Journey Is a Enormous A part of the Job
One other factor that lots of people don’t realise with regards to indie bottlers, is the truth that we do an unbelievable quantity of journey. We’re up and down the nation, and even the world, visiting distilleries, attending seminars, internet hosting occasions, assembly clients, launching merchandise, attending occasions, and successful awards at prestigious whisky awards ceremonies (it’s a tough life).
Happily for us, we get to go to among the most wonderful distilleries and companies, in among the most beautiful components of the world. In case you’ve learn a few of our different blogs (if not, why not?!) you’ll understand how a lot I am keen on the totally different whisky areas in Scotland.
It isn’t simply Scotland both, I get to journey to Wales, Eire, and throughout England on enterprise and see a few of their wonderful distilleries, outdated and new.
There’s So A lot to Think about Earlier than We Launch a Whisky
In case you suppose that being an indie bottler is just about shopping for a cask of whisky, decanting it into a distinct cask for a bit, bottling it and sticking it on-line, you’re very a lot mistaken.
Launching a whisky is a logistical nightmare as there’s a lot to contemplate, a lot paperwork, and so many hoops to leap by means of. As soon as we’ve perfected our expression (which in itself is a large process) we’d like to consider the product we’re launching, and belief me, it’s not a fast or simple course of.
We have to provide you with names and label designs, supply bottles and bottle stoppers, create the textual content and duplicate for the label and web site, take photos, set ABVs, determine when to launch, take care of mountains of paperwork, work out how a lot we have to cost, checklist the merchandise, and many extra in addition to.
You Will Make Pricey Errors
Actual life isn’t that portrayed by social media. By that, I imply it isn’t good. Issues not often run easily in any enterprise, and impartial bottling is not any exception.
Like some other enterprise on the market, we make errors from time to time as we’re solely human. Sadly, because of the nature of the beast, errors on this business might be expensive. In case you run a village store and drop a bottle of cola on the ground which bursts, that’s annoying as it could actually’t be bought and can subsequently value you cash. If an costly bottle of whisky, or perhaps a pallet, will get damaged, it’s greater than an annoyance and is much more expensive.
I’m not good, nor do I declare to be, and I’m responsible of constructing errors within the enterprise, typically they’re unlucky accidents (that poor laptop computer), and typically by means of sheer exhaustion. On this business, errors, even seemingly small ones, might be expensive.
The Hours are Lengthy
For anyone considering of beginning an impartial bottling enterprise, simply bear in mind that the hours are lengthy. Like, ridiculously lengthy. If you would like a 9 – 5, with free weekends, this isn’t the business for you. Each myself and Kirsty work extremely lengthy, arduous hours, notably at occasions and weekends, and it may be draining, each bodily and mentally.
Each time I’m on the street, I usually return residence wanting like an additional from The Strolling Lifeless. There have been instances the place I’ve been on the go for weeks on finish, touring distillery after distillery, whereas additionally coping with numerous different facets of the job. Add to that, the truth that sleeping in a distinct mattress is rarely the identical as sleeping in your finish, and you’ll perceive why it may be exhausting.
Please don’t suppose that I’m moaning as a result of that couldn’t be farther from the reality. I really like what we do, and I don’t consider the enterprise as a job as a result of it’s not. For us, it’s our life, and we wouldn’t have it some other approach (A number of extra hours sleep every evening wouldn’t go amiss, although).
You Should Actually Perceive Whisky
For so long as I can bear in mind, whisky has been a ardour of mine. It’s a lot greater than my favorite spirit, and so earlier than we even began GreatDrams, I wish to suppose I had a reasonably good concept about whisky.
As soon as beginning the enterprise nonetheless, we each made positive we knew the whole lot we might, and nonetheless proceed to study now. You possibly can’t work with whisky should you don’t understand it and find it irresistible. That you must perceive the totally different traits and flavour profiles of the liquid itself. This not solely helps with tasting and mixing, however it’s additionally integral for getting old and maturing. That you must know which casks will praise the whisky, and which is able to hinder it.
Whisky manufacturing requires a refined palate, and it is advisable to know the totally different flavour profiles. You possibly can’t simply have a sip and persuade your self it tastes of apples as a result of it’s a standard tasting be aware. That you must perceive the totally different notes, flavours, and aromas and prepare your palate to select them up. In case you genuinely style apples then that’s truthful sufficient, however you genuinely need to style apples, (or whichever different flavour notes you detect) and also you have to be true to your self. Don’t simply declare to style one thing as a result of others do, see what your palate picks up as a substitute.
For us, whisky is a lot greater than only a spirit, it’s a ardour of ours and it’s actually our lives. Due to this, we’d wish to suppose we’ve a reasonably good understanding of it.
In case you’d wish to study extra about your favorite whiskies, or just deal with your self to a dram or two within the course of, head on over to GreatDrams.com and try the various choice of distinctive whiskies we at the moment have in inventory.
With a powerful choice of limited-edition, uncommon, and award-winning whisky, in addition to heaps of whisky data on our weblog, it’s the proper spot for any whisky lovers on the market.
