Scottish Whisky Entrepreneur Acquires Legendary Edinburgh Whisky Retailer
Iain McClune, a Scottish whisky and spirits entrepreneur, enthusiast, and former Royal Mile Whiskies employee, has agreed the purchase of Scotland’s leading independent specialist whisky business, Royal Mile Whiskies.
Royal Mile Whiskies sits under the Dormant Distillery Company (DDC) alongside Drinkmonger and The Cigar Box. They will all be retained, owned and operated in Scotland 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 Vintage Saga, McClune’s investment company which 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.
“They inherit not only the wonderful staff, but a very supportive bunch of suppliers and loyal customers to all of whom I send my huge thanks for their contribution over the past quarter century. I wish Iain, Arthur and all of the team my very best for a bright future, and shall continue to cheer you all on from the sidelines.”
As part of Vintage Saga, DDC will continue to operate independently as its own entity, and also independently from other businesses within the group. It will benefit from Vintage Saga’s knowledge, expertise, relationships and reputation which will support its continued growth. Arthur Motley, who has worked alongside Keir Sword for over 20 years, will become Managing Director of DDC.
Iain McClune, founder of Vintage Saga, said: “I echo Keir’s values and understand his vision for the future of the Dormant Distillery Company. The team at DDC is what makes it so unique and I am excited to be a part of it again.
“Vintage Saga and DDC are both independent Scottish companies with the same knowledge-centric approach and people-first culture, with committed and passionate employees who contribute hugely to the success of the businesses.
“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.”
Dave Broom, award winning drinks writer, commented: “Over the past 25 years Royal Mile Whiskies has been an exemplar of a great drinks retail business. It has evolved over time, pioneering new avenues, but the secret to its success is it’s a business run by people who put the customer first. They have not just sold whisky, they have educated, entertained, and advised about it – and other spirits – because they care deeply about what they are selling.
“While this is the end of an era, I’m delighted the firm will remain independent and, importantly, with Iain as the new owner, that it is staying in Scottish hands. I wish Keir all the best in his future ventures, but know that with Arthur at the helm that continuing success will be guaranteed.”
About Dormant Distillery Company Ltd
Keir Sword started the independent bottling business DDC Ltd in 1997 but his focus for the business soon changed when he had the opportunity to buy his former employer, Royal Mile Whiskies. Royal Mile Whiskies was established in 1991, however, it was in 1997 when Keir Sword, a returning former employee, purchased the shop that it developed into one of the world’s most respected specialist whisky retailers. Keir added The Cigar Box to the portfolio in 1999, followed by rmw.com in 2000, which made the company one of the very first to retail whisky online. As sales of ‘other’ spirits had grown steadily, the Drinkmonger brand was added in 2011 with the opening of a retail shop in Pitlochry, Highland Perthshire and then Bruntsfield, Edinburgh later the same year. The Royal Mile Whiskies Trade department is seen as the pre-eminent wholesaler of specialist spirits into the Scottish bar trade, with an accounts list of some of the very best hospitality venues in Scotland and beyond. Royal Mile Whiskies’ worldwide reputation is largely due to its knowledgeable team of whisky enthusiasts. Keir is a Master of the Quaich and is soon to become a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.
About Vintage Saga Ltd
Iain McClune is the Founder and Managing Director of Vintage Saga Ltd which is the holding company of Whisky Auctioneer, Wine Auctioneer, Rum Auctioneer and Bright Spirits Lts. Prior to establishing Whisky Auctioneer, Iain was Manager at Royal Mile Whiskies Edinburgh, a leading independent traditional whisky specialist. He was listed as One to Watch in The Telegraph’s Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme in 2020.
Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction. It has come to acclaim in recent years with record breaking auctions of some of the world’s most coveted and collectible whiskies. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Perth, Scotland, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community. Its industry-leading online platform connects sellers to a global network of buyers, giving passionate whisky lovers access to the most comprehensive selection of rare whisky online.
In 2017, Wine Auctioneer was established offering the same services for mature and rare fine wines and in August 2019, Iain launched Rum Auctioneer, the first dedicated online auction of its kind. The creation of Wine Auctioneer and Rum Auctioneer was prompted by the high levels of demand for buying and selling these products through Whisky Auctioneer. A simple, accessible, and dedicated platform for selling wine and rum online was missing and we were ideally placed to offer a solution.
The central Scotland headquarters’ success paved the way for expansion into the EU, where Whisky Auctioneer opened an office in Ratheim, Germany in 2020. In 2022, further expansion increased capacity to support the whisky community within the United Kingdom with the opening of a central London office.
