Sponsored article: Royal Mile Whiskies Trade
Royal Mile Whiskies Trade provides specialist wholesale services to hundreds of Scotland’s top hospitality venues.
Based in Edinburgh, they deliver directly to most Scottish cities using their own fleet, and partner with trusted couriers for fast delivery across the UK mainland and islands.
From classic whiskies to exclusive single casks and unique spirits, the full range can be ordered through their trade portal, right now including festive deals, with real-time stock levels and pricing.
Here Royal Mile Whiskies Trade Sales Manager Duggie Liddle answers SLTN’s questions about the business and the wider trade…
Can you give me some background into Royal Mile Whiskies?
Duggie: “Royal Mile Whiskies was founded in 1991 and since then, we’ve grown into one of the world’s most respected specialist whisky retailers. We started with our shop in Edinburgh, and over time, we’ve built an international reputation for offering a high-quality selection of Scotch whisky, spirits, craft beer, and more.
“In 1999, we opened The Cigar Box just two doors down from our Royal Mile Whiskies shop, and then in 2011, we launched our sister-brand Drinkmonger, expanding our love of whisky to include wines, craft beers and other spirits with shops in Pitlochry and Bruntsfield.
“Back in 2015, when we first started supplying the trade, it was pretty humble – our MD Arthur was actually delivering orders to trade customers after his shift! But over the years, we’ve put serious effort into the development of our Trade service that now runs out of our new warehouse we moved into in summer 2023. It’s three times the size of our old one, so we’ve got a lot more space!
“We introduced a bespoke online trade portal, a dedicated sales team, in-house delivery routes, and much more to make sure we’re giving our customers the best experience possible. Now, we’ve got some of the best hospitality venues across Scotland (and beyond) utilising us to help them create standout drinks lists with exclusive products, expert advice, and support with staff training and promotions across all spirits categories.”
What kind of footprint does Royal Mile Whiskies have in the trade at present?
Duggie: “Right now, we’re proud to work with over 500 accounts across Scotland and other parts of the UK, from the central belt to the far reaches of the Highlands and everywhere in between. At the start of 2024, it was just me, but now our sales team has grown to three, so I guess we can say we’re finally a proper team now!
“While we’re very much at home in Scotland, our footprint is steadily growing south of the border too. This year, we’ve been excited to welcome new accounts in London and Liverpool, with Newcastle and Manchester on the horizon for 2025. For us, it’s about expanding our reach while staying true to what we’re known for, which is a personal, honest and expert service that our customers can rely on.”
What are some of the products that are proving most popular with Scottish trade customers in 2024?
Duggie: “We’re definitely seeing a growing interest in categories in alternative spirits such as Agave spirits and non-alcoholic (sorry Rum, it looks like you’re missing out again!).
“There’s also a noticeable shift toward higher-value, limited, and local products, with more venues reaching out for us to support them in creating standout bar selections. It’s exciting to see bars and restaurants putting so much thought into their offerings to really set themselves apart in a competitive market.
“Sustainability is another big priority for our customers. More venues are prioritising it, which is fantastic to see, and we’re proud to support them in that effort with one of the best ranges of refillable spirits options available.”
How often do you add products to your range, and are there any particular types of product that are expanding quicker than others?
Duggie: “Our range is constantly evolving, we’re adding new products to our Trade Portal almost every day. While we’re always listening to our customers and responding to their needs, our team of buyers also have their finger on the pulse, anticipating what the market is looking for when it comes to exciting releases.
“A great example of this is our collaborations with spirits partners or bars, where we have supported the creation of exclusive venue bottlings. These partnerships are so important to us to make sure that we’re offering our customers a really bespoke service.
“We also bottle our own range of independent whisky bottlings and we’ve been so pleased with the response from our trade clients. Seeing these bottles behind bars, knowing they’ve chosen them because they trust in our selections and think that they’re something a bit special and different, really means a lot to us.”
What have you found are the most important aspects of a wholesale supply service to pub and bar operators?
Duggie: “Having a huge range of products is something we’re proud of, but what really makes the difference is the knowledge and service we bring to the table. Our team is incredibly passionate about what we do, and we love working with our customers to make sure they’re getting what they need.
“We also understand how important speed and reliability are in this industry. That’s why we have our own fleet of vans, it means we can deliver on time and stay flexible to support our customers when unexpected things crop up.
“Our trade portal has also been a real game-changer for us too. It’s simple, reliable, and makes ordering easy. Customers can check real-time stock levels, request restocks and even create order cards to make reordering quick and easy. The feedback we’ve had from our customers has been amazing, and it’s great to see how much it’s helping them day to day as we continue to make developments and improvements to it.
“We also really focus on building knowledge across our whole team. From sales and marketing to our colleagues in the warehouse and van drivers delivering products, our team brings genuine enthusiasm and expertise to what we do.”
What have been the biggest challenges in the Scottish wholesale sector this year?
Duggie: “I’d say that one of the biggest challenges in the Scottish wholesale sector is rising operating costs across the board, which has been difficult for a lot of the venues we support. We’ve also noticed the growing need for higher staff knowledge, as consumers have become more and more educated about what they’re drinking over the last few years.
“As always, trying to predict what’s going to be the next trend in hospitality culture is a bit of a guessing game. However, we’ve remained proactive by listening to our customers, staying flexible and making sure we’re offering the right products.
“Despite these challenges, it’s been a real testament to the resilience of our trade customers to see the incredible things they’re achieving and often raising the bar to even higher standards.
“Before we finish, can I just add that if you are interested in opening a trade account with us or finding out more, the best thing to do is email tradeenquiries@royalmilewhiskies.com“
