A group of whisky entrepreneurs have combined forces to launch MBH Holding, an independent Scottish spirits group operating across scotch whisky, independent bottling, branded products, travel, cask ownership and rare spirits.
The Edinburgh based group has been founded by Charlie MacLean, Vikki Bruce, Jamie Burke, Liam Hughes and Mike Hayward, who over 20 years have collectively founded and operated Maclean & Bruce, Strathearn Distillery and The Glasgow Distillery Company amongst other businesses.
MBH controls a substantial portfolio of casks, including stock that has been maturing for over 40 years, and is in active discussions regarding the capital investment to support acquisitions of "substantially more whisky assets".
Future capital investment will support further acquisitions, expand the cask asset base, develop a branded premium product range and accelerate international expansion.
MBH Holding claims its annual turnover is estimated to be £16 million, with an estimated £5 million market value in casks and bottles.
Co-founder Hughes said: “Our intention is to build a substantial independent Scottish spirits group of scale – headquartered in Scotland, creating jobs in Scotland, and exporting premium Scottish products globally.
“We have the operational team, the assets and the infrastructure – we will now deploy that selectively.”
Co-founder Bruce added: “This is a Scottish growth story. We have combined established businesses with real heritage, and through M&B Whisky and M&B Travel, we have a direct link between Scotland’s whisky story and consumers from around the world.”