Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has announced a new global distribution agreement with Scottish distillery Daftmill.
Situated in Fife, near Cupar, Daftmill is one of the only nine active Lowland distilleries, making approximately 100 casks a year. It’s fairly new, as its first spirit was only produced in December 2005.
One of only two distilleries that can use the term ‘single estate’, the Cuthbert family, who own Daftmill, grow all the barley made for making the whisky on the estate, with the whisky distilled during the farm’s ‘off-season’; two months in summer and two months in winter. This traditional distillery practice has not been seen in Scotland since the 1800’s.
‘As a family business, Berry Bros & Rudd naturally sees an affinity with other family-owned companies,’ said Lizzy Rudd, Berry Bros & Rudd’s new chairman. ‘The Cuthbert family have been growing malting barley in the Howe of Fife for six generations.’
‘What I find so appealing about Daftmill is their unique and traditional seasonal production cycle which is led by Francis’ quiet periods on the farm,’ added Doug McIvor, reserve spirits manager at Berry Bros & Rudd.
‘I also believe their sole use of the estate’s barley gives Daftmill’s whisky a real sense of terroir and true provenance. I’m confident that the spirit’s subtle Lowland charm will put Daftmill (and Fife) firmly on the whisky map.’
‘Daftmill is pleased to appoint Berry Bros & Rudd as global distributor and we look forward to releasing the first single malt to the marketplace in the near future,’ concluded Daftmill owner Ian Cuthbert.