SCOTCH WHISKY BOTTLER BUILDS WORLD-CLASS TEAM FOR NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH – Scotch Whisky News
SCOTCH WHISKY BOTTLER BUILDS WORLD-CLASS TEAM FOR NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH
Saltire Rare Malt invests in its biggest international expansion to date as global demand for its rare Scotch whiskies continues to grow.
FALKLAND, FIFE – July 2026: Just over two years since launching, Saltire Rare Malt has unveiled its largest investment in people to date, appointing five respected whisky professionals across North America and Asia Pacific as the award-winning independent Scotch whisky bottler accelerates its global ambitions.
Joining Saltire Rare Malt are Gary Clark as National Sales Manager – USA, Jared Card and George B. Summer as Brand Ambassadors for the Mid-Atlantic and New York respectively, Laura Sol as Business Development Manager and Kotaro Kurihara as Product Marketing Specialist for Asia Pacific.
Since launching in 2024, Saltire Rare Malt’s carefully curated bottlings have reached collectors and trade partners throughout Europe, North America, Asia and South Africa, reinforcing its growing reputation as one of Scotland’s most exciting independent Scotch whisky bottlers.
Founded in Falkland, Fife – the birthplace of Scotch whisky more than 530 years ago – Saltire Rare Malt was born from the longstanding friendship of Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie and a shared ambition to take exceptional Scotch whisky from the heart of Scotland to spirits lovers across the globe.
Working alongside internationally acclaimed whisky experts Hans and Becky Offringa, known globally as The Whisky Couple, the business has built a reputation for exceptional single cask and limited-edition bottlings that celebrate rarity, heritage and craftsmanship.
Gary
Appointed as National Sales Manager – USA, Gary Clark brings almost four decades of experience across hospitality, wholesale distribution and premium spirits. Born in Edinburgh and raised in Texas, he is an internationally recognised whisky educator, holds multiple WSET qualifications and is the author of respected publications on Japanese whisky and American whiskey.
Jared
Greg
Across the United States, Jared Card and George B. Summer contribute more than 45 years of combined experience spanning supplier, distributor, retail and hospitality. Jared is widely respected for his engaging whisky education and trade tastings throughout the Mid-Atlantic, while George, founder of Guided by the Spirits, has successfully developed premium spirits brands through trade education, distributor partnerships and luxury consumer experiences.
Laura
Completing the appointments, Laura Sol brings extensive expertise in brand strategy, business development and commercial partnerships, while Kotaro Kurihara, fluent in English and Japanese, will support sales and marketing activity across Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea, helping develop one of Saltire Rare Malt’s most important international markets.
Keith Rennie, Co-Founder of Saltire Rare Malt, said: “From day one, our ambition has been to build an international Scotch whisky company while staying true to Scotland’s whisky heritage. Just over two years on, we’re proud to see our bottlings enjoyed by collectors around the world, but we believe the best is still to come.”
“Gary, Jared, George, Laura and Kotaro each bring exceptional knowledge, experience and relationships to Saltire Rare Malt. This investment gives us the platform to accelerate our global ambitions, strengthen partnerships and take our whiskies to even more whisky lovers, collectors and trade partners around the world.”
From its home in Falkland, Saltire Rare Malt is combining Scotland’s whisky heritage with global ambition to build one of the country’s most exciting independent Scotch whisky businesses.
The Saltire Rare Malt Collection is available online at: www.saltireraremalt.com
About Saltire Rare Malt Whisky
Saltire Rare Malt are bottlers of a unique range of limited-run single malt whiskies. The independent bottling company was born from a longstanding partnership between friends & founders Nigel Heywood and Keith Rennie – the pair have collected fine and rare single malts over three decades. A shared passion for the ‘water of life’ led to the creation of Saltire Rare Malt – a global vehicle to share their outstanding collection of Single Malt Whiskies.
