BASE Spirits Collective, the distribution company founded by members of the Scottish bar industry, has been appointed as the on-trade distributor for two Edinburgh spirits firms: Holyrood Distillery and Woven.
The deals will see Base distributing Holyrood’s product range, which includes Height of Arrows Gin and spirits brands New Make, Charmed Circle and Rum Union, as well as Woven’s range of blended whiskies.
Base was set up in 2019 by industry figures including Ben Iravani of Aberdeen bars Orchid and Ninety-Nine Bar & Kitchen (and Porter’s Gin), Mike Aikman and Jason Scott, the operators behind Edinburgh bars Bramble, the Last Word and Lucky Liquor Co (and the Braemble, Cross Brew and Sea Wolf drinks brands) and Ian Melville, former brand development manager for Hi-Spirits in Scotland.
In addition to the directors’ own drinks brands, the company’s portfolio includes Valentian Vermouth, Pensador Mezcal and non-alcoholic spirits brand Crossip.
“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with Base Spirits as we grow our Holyrood range in the on-trade, off-trade and the UK market as a whole,” said Andy Sinclair of Holyrood Distillery.
“Base Spirits shares our philosophy around drinks, brand building and delivering exceptional experiences for customers and consumers and we’re looking forward to working together.”
Nick Ravenhall, founder of Woven, said he was “proud to be working with Base Spirits to bring Woven to the Scottish Licensed trade”.
“Base represents a new era for indie brands and we love the cooperative approach where we work together to make a difference in the trade,” said Ravenhall.
“At Woven we have a mindset of building with, rather than selling to, and building with respected industry stalwart, Ian Melville, is that ethos coming to life.”
Melville at Base Spirits said both producers “join Base at a great moment”.
“New to world whiskies like Woven are booming with customers now looking for something different and great to drink,” said Melville.
“Add to this the Holyrood Distillery’s phenomenal, award winning gin in Height of Arrows, a fantastic blended rum in Rum Union and a category changing spirit in Charmed Circle, we can now offer customers a full  range defining portfolio that will enhance any bar in the country.”
