Independent UK gin and vodka producer House of Boe launches brand home
Scotland-headquartered House of Boe, is launching its first brand home and is setting an ambitious sales target as it continues to expand.
Article Source: House of Boe
First Published: 30 June 2022 12:57
Updated: 30 June 2022 12:59
Scotland-headquartered business opens first retail destination in South Queensferry
One of the UK’s fastest-growing independent gin and vodka producers, Scotland-headquartered House of Boe, is launching its first brand home and is setting an ambitious sales target as it continues to expand.
House of Boe is the leading independent gin company in Scotland by total sales, across the on-trade and off-trade, and is in the top three in the UK. The producer of a range of award-winning flavoured gins and vodkas, distilled in Stirling, has set an annual sales target of £10 million for the financial year 2022/23 as it emerges from the global pandemic when it was impacted by the closure of bars and other venues. Before Covid-19 its annual turnover was £8.5m.
Its experiential retail outlet and venue is opening in July in the popular town of South Queensferry on the outskirts of Edinburgh in the shadow of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, following the success of a pop-up shop on the site of a former bank during the pandemic. To mark the launch, House of Boe is unveiling its first limited edition products, the Queensferry Collection of bespoke gins. Only 1,000 bottles of the Oriental spice-influenced gin will be available and they will initially be sold exclusively at the new brand home.
House of Boe sells its products mainly across the on-trade, in bars and restaurants, as well as the off-trade, such as in leading supermarket chains, including Morrisons, Tesco, Asda and the Co-op, and online. Its products can be found in almost 20,000 pubs and bars in the UK, including Green King, Marston’s, Mitchell & Butlers and Stonegate Pub Company venues, as well as independent outlets and cocktail bars, such as The Dome on George Street in the west end of Edinburgh.
The majority of its sales are in the UK, but it is also growing in popularity in Spain and plans to target other European and global markets.
The business is run by three directors with many years of experience in the drinks industry, Andrew Richardson, Carlo Valente and Graham Coull, who combine their production, marketing and sales skills.
It launched its first gin in 2007 and disrupted the market in 2016 with its inaugural flavoured product, Boe Violet Gin, when other producers were focusing on the crowded craft sector. It is the only gin from a Scottish-owned company in the UK’s top 20 best-selling flavoured gins in the on-trade.
House of Boe director Andrew Richardson said: “We have been investing in our business with the launch of new flavoured gins and vodkas and growing our employee numbers. We’re now in a strong position to open our first brand home in South Queensferry, in which we have already invested more than £200,000. This a major step for us and a sign of our confidence in future growth. We’re sure locals and visitors to the area will see our venue as a destination of choice.
“We have grown quickly over the years from a primarily Scottish to a UK-wide business. We see ourselves as risk takers, willing to stand out from the crowd, hence our move away from craft, with its production focus, to focus on the enjoyment of our drinks and their fit with our consumers’ lifestyles.
“Along with others in the drinks trade we were impacted by the closure of bars, pubs and other venues during the pandemic, but we continued to put money into our business and are now reaping the benefits. We’re on track to meet our sales target for next year and have many more exciting developments in the pipeline.”
The business has a head count of 15 - with 10 in Scotland and five in England - following a recruitment drive, including the appointment of a sales person to manage relationships with large supermarket chains across the UK. It is taking on a retail manager and other staff for its South Queensferry venue.
As well as launching new flavoured gins and diversifying into flavoured vodkas, it has recently started offering its products in pre-mixed in cans, with their calorie content clearly labelled.
House of Boe director Carlo Valente said: “We were ahead of the game when we launched our first flavoured gin. This is now the fastest growing part of the market, and we continue to innovate. With our popular range of flavoured gins and vodkas, such as raspberry and sweet basil and bramble, we have won awards for both our taste and packaging. Visitors to our experiential shop in South Queensferry can sample what we have to offer and enjoy our cocktails, while they learn more about the story behind our products.”
https://www.houseofboe.com/
Image: House of Boe directors: Andrew Richardson, Carlo Valente and Graham Coull (left to right)
Latest Edinburgh News
Edinburgh Based Drinks Innovators Now Available in Local Prestigious Establishments
Discerning drinkers at some of Edinburgh’s most prestigious establishments now have the chance to savour Buck & Birch’s uniquely curated spirits and liqueurs.
Best fish and chip shop casts its net for top apprentice fish frier
East Coast Fish & Chips takeaway in Musselburgh, named the best in Scotland earlier this year, is casting its net across the country to find its first apprentice fish frier.
Local school transforms into dystopian festival venue
Grid Iron Theatre Company, which specialises site-specific and location theatre, will host immersive performances at Edinburgh’s Leith Academy.
Hundreds come together to create spectacular outdoor artwork in Loch Insh in celebration of creativity
The UK's biggest National Park was the chosen location for the latest Green Space Dark Skies project, by the outdoor art experts at Walk the Plank.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Announces Experience Collaboration With Soho House
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has collaborated with Soho House to provide its members with a variety of experiences throughout the Edinburgh Festivals season this August.
IRN BRU bring the UK first venue in a CAN to the Edinburgh Fringe
IRN-BRU have created the UK's first venue in a can to give some of Scotland's funniest online comedians a dedicated platform at the Edinburgh Fringe.
As Greece inspires the latest menu, Six by Nico prepares a feast fit for a Goddess
Six by Nico's team has harnessed the power of ancient Greek mythology to create a Mediterranean masterpiece of powerful proportions!
Community groups across the capital connect with nature thanks to CityFibre
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) visited Wester Hailes Library as part of their Giraffe About Town community programme, sponsored by CityFibre.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street lights up the city during the Edinburgh Festival
Johnnie Walker Princes Street, has kicked off its partnership with the world’s most famous arts festival, by unveiling a show stopping projection illuminating the entire eight floor building.
Edinburgh care home highly commended in national awards
Care UK’s Cairdean House, on Redford Road, has been highly commended in the ‘Best for Communication and Use of Digital Channels’ category.
Green Space Dark Skies announces Ben Nevis as Scottish location in Finale Event
On Saturday 10 September, Ben Nevis in the Glen Coe National Scenic Area (NSA) will provide the backdrop to the last Scottish Green Space Dark Skies outdoor artworks.
Finalists Revealed for The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022
Over 75 leading finalists have been revealed today for The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022.
Tiny Changes curate a series of unique intimate acoustic performances
Tiny Changes is teaming up with Connect festival to host a pop-up stage at this year’s festival.
Free Gala Day to mark official opening of five star visitor attraction in the Scottish Borders
A free family gala day will be held on Friday 9th September to celebrate the official opening of the five-star purpose-built Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre in Galashiels.
Musselburgh Racecourse Stobo Castle Ladies Day crowns winners of The Style Awards 2022
Scotland's biggest and most prestigious 5-star Ladies Day held on Friday 5th August at Musselburgh Racecourse in East Lothian, has announced the winners for this year’s Style Awards.
My Scottish Survival Kit kept me safe on mean streets of New York
FORMER boxer and now hip hop star Stevie Creed describes how he used his Scottish Survival Kit to stay safe while he was a teenager living alone in some of the toughest neighbourhoods of New York.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo kicks off August with spectacular showcase for 2022 Voices
Performers from across the globe are sure to wow audiences with sensational music, dance, costume, and spectacle as The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo makes its highly anticipated return.
Superstar Chef set for culinary triumph at Connect Festival in Edinburgh
Connect Music Festival kicks off August 26 - 28th and is delighted to introduce Chef Barry Bryson as an addition to this year’s acclaimed line-up.
Merlin works magic to bring Free Fringe to Morningside
A Bustling Edinburgh suburb will see a host of acts and entertainers descend on the area as it becomes part of the Free Fringe for the first time, thanks to the Merlin pub.
Paint and Sip at the newest speakeasy in Edinburgh for a night out with a twist
Edinburgh’s hottest new bar in town, Counter at Native, has revealed a new take on a night out in the city; a creative ‘Paint and Sip’ workshop.
Brilliant listener numbers in latest result for Forth 1 and Forth 2
Forth 1 and Forth 2 have seen listener figures continue to grow with a fantastic set of results in the latest RAJAR figures.
Edinburgh photographer, Soo Burnell, to exhibit at Gleneagles Townhouse
Leading photographer and Edinburgh native, Soo Burnell, is set to launch her newest exhibition, ‘Bodies of Water’, at the recently opened Gleneagles Townhouse from 5th – 29th August.
Green Space Dark Skies: The team of artists working with local communities to bring events to life
Green Space Dark Skies, produced by Walk the Plank and commissioned by UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, has revealed the artists who will bring Scotland's August events to life!
Conifox Adventure Park officially breaks world record for the Longest Inflatable Assault Course
Conifox Adventure Park has today confirmed that they have officially broken a world record for the longest inflatable assault course which sits at a mammoth 568 metres.
Boogie, Arlene and Marty from Forth 1 meet Giraffe About Town Skinny Malinky Long Legs
Forth 1’s Boogie, Arlene and Marty met their Giraffe About Town sculpture Skinny Malinky Long Legs earlier this week.
Irn Bru launches Sunshine Service
From the Costa Del Leith to the Clyde Riviera, IRN-BRU is set to deliver deckchairs and ice-cold cans to Scottish sun-seekers!
Perthshire Preserves gets on board with Fingal Edinburgh
A Perthshire jam-making company has announced a buoyant new partnership with Scotland’s only luxury floating hotel, Fingal, as part of ‘National Afternoon Tea Week’ from 8th to 15th August.
New Naked Malt Garden set to open at Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe this August
As the Edinburgh Fringe is set to return, Naked Malt will launch the city’s best kept secret cocktail garden complete with sipping stations and Instagrammable delights this August.
Connect Festival adds new acts including a comedy lineup
Connect Festival adds new acts including a comedy lineup ahead of its Edinburgh Debut at the Royal Highland Centre in August.
EH1 Festival set to take over VEGA for official launch party
EH1 is set to take over VEGA Glasgow with an official launch party, bringing together DJs from Scotland’s most popular club nights including Glitterbox, PRTY and EVOLATION!
Sponsored Links
