Bladnoch Distillery partners with Maison Villevert in French distribution deal

Bladnoch, Scotland’s oldest privately-owned Scotch whisky distillery, has partnered with premium spirits distributor Maison Villevert to accelerate growth of the single malt whisky brand in France.

As part of a three-year deal, Bladnoch will work with Cognac-based Maison Villevert to expand the Lowland distillery’s core portfolio into new markets and accounts across France.

Dating back to 1817, Bladnoch Distillery is one of the oldest single malt Scotch whisky producers in the world and is enjoying a bold and powerful revival. The legacy brand has been revived in recent years by David Prior, who purchased Bladnoch Distillery in 2015 and is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery.

Bladnoch whiskies are now available in more than 45 markets worldwide, including the UK, the US, Australia, France and Taiwan.

Maison Villevert’s entrepreneurial spirit can be traced back to 1487 with Jehan Robicquet, an ancestor of the artisan distributor’s current founding chairman Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, playing a pioneering role in the cognac business during the 16^th century.

Dr Nick Savage, master distiller at Bladnoch, said:

“Our proposition to create a bold Galloway spirit with a proud heritage is unique to our distillery. As a result, demand for Bladnoch has grown at pace in recent years, not only in the UK but increasingly in France.

“Our partnership with Maison Villevert marks the next step in our vision for growth in this important market, helping us to reach more whisky enthusiasts in France with our signature Lowland Scotch whisky style and ‘taste-first’ approach to whisky making.”

Yannick Perezzan, commercial director at Maison Villevert, said:

“Maison Villevert and Bladnoch share strong common values rooted in independence, authenticity, and a deep respect for heritage and craftsmanship.

“Maison Villevert will develop the Bladnoch brand in France by leveraging our tailored distribution model across premium retail network and on-trade. Thanks to its strong market expertise, premium positioning and storytelling-driven approach, we aim to elevate Bladnoch’s visibility, build emotional connections with consumers, and establish it as a key reference in the single malt whisky category in France.”

Bladnoch’s partnership with Maison Villevert, established in March, follows the appointment of London-based Enotria&Coe as the brand’s UK distributor in February 2024 and an ongoing partnership with US distributor Twenty20 Beverages, established in the same month.

For more information, visit https://bladnoch.com.

About Bladnoch Distillery

Bladnoch Distillery was established in 1817, making it the oldest privately owned Scotch whisky distillery in the world. As the southernmost distillery in Scotland, Bladnoch is commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lowlands.’

Hand-crafted using malt from British growers and the pristine water from the River Bladnoch which flows alongside the distillery, Bladnoch single malts are non-chill filtered to ensure the truest flavours shine through.

This legacy brand has been revived in recent years by Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage, formerly of The Macallan, and owner David Prior, who purchased Bladnoch Distillery in 2015 and is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery.

Bladnoch has been commended with several high-profile award wins in recent years, most recently at the World Whiskies Awards 2025, where Bladnoch 16 Year Old was awarded gold in the ‘Single Malt – 13 to 20 Years’ category and Bladnoch 13 Year Old taking silver in the same division. In the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 Bladnoch was awarded a trio of prestigious awards, receiving double gold medals for each of its Vinaya, Samsara and 13 Year Old Lowland single malt whiskies.

The team at Bladnoch is truly passionate about the preservation of the environment and the local community’s generational involvement in this iconic distillery.

About Maison Villevert 

Maison Villevert is an independent, family-owned French spirits house that has been pioneering innovation for over 20 years, inspired by Cognac heritage into world-class creations. From recipe development packaging and distribution, every step is crafted to reflect French elegance and character. As a mission-led company, Maison Villevert integrates sustainability, territorial roots, and ethical governance into its strategy to promote its own brands and those of its partners. Maison Villevert incubates and develops premium brands through a bespoke, tailor-made approach. This custom strategy enables the company to build strong brand foundations and long-term value by adapting to the unique identity, ambitions, and market potential of each brand.