COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY APPOINTS NEW COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Nick Reed joins the Cotswolds Distillery as new Commercial Director

He brings over 30 years of drinks industry experience and is tasked with developing the distillery’s distribution and trade relationships

The Cotswolds Distillery has announced a new addition to its management team this week, with the hire of Commercial Director, Nick Reed, to develop all trade channels.

In the latest move to support the distillery’s exponential growth over the past 5 years, Nick has moved from Quintessential Brands UK, bringing over 30 years of experience within the grocery sector, 18 years of which were spent working as Trade Sales Director at distillery and distributor, William Grant & Sons.

Nick has worked in multi-national organisations in both business leadership and account management positions.

Cotswolds Distillery founder and CEO, Daniel Szor, said: “Nick’s appointment underpins our ambition to continue our exceptional growth and further build our brand footprint nationally.

“His experience in the grocery multiple channel will specifically allow us to reach more premium spirit shoppers.”

Reed joins the distillery following multiple national and global award wins including the International Wine and Spirit Competition, where both its range of whiskies and its gin won gold medals. In addition, the Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky was the only whisky to receive three stars at the Great Taste Awards 2019.

Of his appointment, Reed said: “What Cotswolds Distillery has achieved since it was founded just five years ago has been amazing and is testament to the high-quality products it produces.

“I’m looking forward to communicating its fantastic portfolio and working closely with trade partners both in the UK and internationally to drive consideration and demand for Cotswolds Distillery products.”

Based in the heart of the Cotswolds, the Cotswolds Distillery has become a leader in English whisky production since the inaugural launch of Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky in 2017.

Notes 

The Cotswolds Distillery

Located in Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour, the distillery has become a premier local attraction, offering tours and tastings daily, and now receives 30,000 visitors a year.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky was launched in October 2017. Each bottle lists the barley variety, harvest year and local Cotswolds farm it was grown on. It recently won Gold at the World Whiskies Awards 2019 and took 2 stars (one of only two whiskies to do so) in the 2019 Great Taste Awards. The distillery’s cask strength whisky release, Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky, was recently awarded the title of Best English Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2019.

In Jim Murray’s 2019 Whisky Bible, the Cotswolds Distillery received 5 ‘Liquid Gold’ awards. Three of their whiskies scored 95 points, with all of the distillery’s samples scoring over 88 out of 100.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is available nationally and in 31 countries across the world. Key UK retailers include Waitrose & Partners, Majestic Wine, The Whisky Exchange, Harrods and Laithwaites.

The distillery also produces Cotswolds Dry Gin, which was named Best London Dry at the 2016 World Gin Awards and received the top Gold Outstanding award in the 2017 International Wine and Spirits Competition. Difford’s Guide recently ranked the Gin as one of the top 20 Gins available in a survey of 450 brands.

Cotswolds Dry Gin is on sale nationally and in over 30 countries.  Key national accounts include Waitrose & Partners, Majestic, Oddbins, Laithwaites, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Fortnum & Mason.

For more information, please visit www.cotswoldsdistillery.com.