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Watt Whisky is a new venture from husband and wife team Kate and Mark Watt. Based in Campbeltown, the pair have more than 40 years experience of the whisky industry between them and have used all their knowledge and contacts to develop a new independent bottling label that will specialise in “good honest whisky, priced for drinking rather than collecting”.
Kate hails from Campbeltown and has worked for both Springbank and Glenfarclas, travelling the world in a sales capacity, hosting tastings and working the festival circuit. Mark meanwhile grew up in Speyside and got his industry break behind the bar at the famous Quaich Bar at the Craigellachie Hotel. Whilst a student in Edinburgh he worked for Royal Mile Whiskies and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society before taking on a full time role with Duncan Taylor and latterly, Wm. Cadenhead Ltd where he was responsible for cask selection and product development.
Speaking about the launch, Kate said: “We’re delighted to be able to launch with 5 great casks, which wouldn’t have been possible without the phenomenal support of our Crowdfunder supporters and friends in the industry. Starting a new business while expecting a new baby and trying to get it off the ground during Covid times (not to mention impending Brexit) isn’t exactly ideal timing but we are cautiously optimistic about the future and already looking forward to our next release.”
Stopping short of world domination (for now), Mark added: “With Watt Whisky, rather than trying to take over the world and potentially spreading ourselves and our whiskies too thinly we decided to work with only a few key partners. These are people I’ve worked with for many years and know that the working relationship with them will help to cement our brands in these markets for many years to come.
We’re planning 3 or 4 releases a year, which will allow us to focus on the quality of the whisky and minimise repetition in bottlings – choice and variety is something that we feel our customers will demand and that’s what we plan to offer”
The first release comprises a 19 year old Blended Malt, a 10 year old Highland single malt from an undisclosed distillery, a Mannochmore 12 year old from a single brandy butt, a classic 11 year old Caol Ila and a 13 year old Traveller’s Rum from Belize. All spirits are bottled as naturally as possible with no chill-filtration or added colour. The whiskies are all cask strength though the Rum has been reduced from 67.1% to a more manageable 57.1%.
Watt Whisky will be available soon in the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Japan and Taiwan. Estimated UK retail prices are between £60 – £90.
What a great sounding venture and some delicious sounding spirits! Can’t get much better credentials to start their business eithet