Formed on 11 February 2013 and trading from this week at its new headquarters in Park Circus, Glasgow, independent bottler and blender Hunter Laing & Co begins operations with considerable key assets that have been retained by Stewart Laing following the de-merger of Douglas Laing & Co’s ownership, which was formalised recently.
These assets include the whisky brands Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare, Douglas Blend, John Player Special and Sovereign, plus a bottling plant and a workforce of eight (not including shareholders).
Stewart’s brother, Fred, will continue to head Douglas Laing & Co, which will continue to offer the Single Cask Provenance range, Director’s Cut, Double Barrel, Premier Barrel, Clan Denny Malts and Grains, Epicurean Blend, the King Of Scots range, McGibbon’s and Big Peat.
Commenting upon the formation of the new company, Stewart Laing, MD, said: “My father provided a sound basis for me to have a very enjoyable 40 years in the whisky business so far, and with Hunter Laing & Co, we’ll see the family tradition maintained for the next generation of the Laing name.
“With the industry fast developing, it’s important for small players to be flexible, innovate and use their relationships to maximum effect. The structure of Hunter Laing & Co will allow us to do exactly that as we build momentum with our portfolio of much-loved brands.”
Fred Laing is realising a career-long ambition of taking total control of Douglas Laing & Co, the business his father Fred Douglas Laing established in 1948, which is now regarded as one of Scotland’s most successful independent Scotch Whisky blenders and bottlers.
As Fred restructures for the future, it has also been announced that the company will maintain tradition with a senior appointment from the third generation of the family.
Cara Laing, Fred’s daughter, joins the company as head of brands marketing, bringing with her impressive industry experience and proven marketing expertise.
She leaves behind Morrison Bowmore Distillers where she led Bowmore and Glen Garioch Single Malts as marketing manager, to take up this role.
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