“DEMAND for Scottish brands is growing rapidly.
There is a real mix [of people drinking Scottish brands], but I think the market is being led by youth and the connoisseur.
I think any venue can capitalise on this growing demand; have a look at your range and find space to offer six to ten of a certain spirit – particularly gin – and beer, and you can offer a varied and quality selection of Scottish products.
Our local brewery is Fyne Ales and we stock their core range and rotate through the various special releases they produce. We also stock five to six beers that we change regularly from different breweries around the country; Windswept and Spey Valley are two breweries whose products have become permanent due to demand.
It’s the same with gins and vodkas – we have our ideal complement but regularly rotate through to get a good mix.
Make sure you visit the producers.
If you can’t make it to your local brewery ask them to come to you; these people are some of the most passionate in the industry and we always try and work as closely as we can with them to pass on that passion to our staff.
Despite all the negatives the industry experienced over winter, I think we are on the brink of a great season with Scotland looking like one of the top destinations this year for domestic and foreign travellers alike.
We have great food and drinks festivals all over the country, passionate owner/operators, chefs, bar and waiting staff, and fantastic music festivals from the central belt all the way out to the traditional music-led Tiree Music Festival and many others like them.
Scotland is buzzing right now and we have the producers with the products to really showcase who we are, no excuses!”
– David Lapsley, general manager and sommelier,
The Taynuilt: Etive Restaurant with Rooms.
