By Dana Slaven
Boutique Islay single malt distillery Kilchoman now counts Australia among its fastest growing export markets, according to founder Anthony Wills.
Wills, who was in Australia recently, told TheShout that Kilchoman – Islay’s youngest distillery, which does not declare age statements on its whiskies – is now three years into a highly successful Australian distribution deal with island2island Beverage Company.
island2island has a complementary portfolio of single malts from Scotland’s premier whisky regions, which Wills believes has benefited Kilchoman by driving overall interest in whisky in this market.
“Each year we are increasing our sales. The awareness of single malt is becoming very apparent here,” he said.
Globally, Wills has witnessed the rapid rise of small, independent craft distilleries that are producing unique spirits for increasingly discerning consumers, who demand authenticity in the products they consume.
“I think there is no doubt that boutique, farm and artisanal spirits are certainly something that people are moving towards,” Wills said.
“They like the tradition and the provenance of these smaller brands. They can relate to them a lot more.” [continues below]
Anthony Wills
There are currently three Kilchoman single malt Scotch whiskies available in Australia: The Machir Bay, the 100 per cent Islay and the Loch Gorm.
“You will have a fourth coming fairly soon – the 2007 vintage, which is currently on the water,” Wills said.
“We’re delighted because the number of expressions that we’ve sent over here has grown over the last three years.”