Scottish whisky and spirits entrepreneur Iain McClune has agreed the purchase of Royal Mile Whiskies.
The retail outlet sits under the Dormant Distillery Company (DDC) alongside Drinkmonger and The Cigar Box - which will all be retained, owned and operated as part of the deal.
McClune, who worked at Royal Mile Whiskies for nearly a decade, becomes the second ex-employee to return as owner of the business.
The acquisition will be made through his investment company Vintage Saga, which also includes Whisky Auctioneer, Wine Auctioneer, Rum Auctioneer and Bright Spirits.
Keir Sword, founder of DDC, commented: “I am delighted to pass the business over to Iain, who, as a former employee, shares my affection for the business and understands the importance of our fantastic team of drinks enthusiasts.
“As a former employee who myself returned to buy Royal Mile Whiskies it is greatly satisfying to pass the baton on to one of our own, who shares my vision for the business and I trust to carry on our values.
“The fact the business retains its independent spirit, but at the same time gains the backing and support of the equally enthusiastic and talented team at Vintage Saga, makes it a very exciting time for DDC.”
As part of Vintage Saga, DDC will continue to operate independently as its own entity, and also independently from other businesses within the group.
Arthur Motley, who has worked alongside Keir Sword for over 20 years, will become managing director of DDC.
McClune commented: “Exciting times are ahead and I am particularly pleased to be inheriting such a great team as they will be crucial to the ongoing success and future growth of the DDC brands.
“Under Keir’s tenure, Royal Mile Whiskies has become recognised as one of the great independent UK whisky merchants and this reputation is exactly what we look forward to building with all at DDC.”
Sword started the independent bottling business DDC in 1997, but his focus for the business soon changed when he had the opportunity to buy Royal Mile Whiskies.
The shop was established in 1991 and taken over by Sword in 1997, who then added The Cigar Box in 1999, followed by rmw.com in 2000, which made the company one of the first to retail whisky online.
The Drinkmonger brand was added in 2011, with the opening of a retail shop in Pitlochry, Highland Perthshire and then Bruntsfield later the same year.
Meanwhile, McClune founded Vintage Saga, which established Whisky Auctioneer in 2013, headquartered in Perth. This was followed by Wine Auctioneer in 2017 and Rum Auctioneer two years later.
Whisky Auctioneer opened an office in Ratheim, Germany, in 2020, and this year a central London office was established.
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