A Scottish drinks brand has unveiled plans to build a tasting room and experimentation studio, helped by a new crowdfunding campaign.
Dominic and David Tait, co-founders of spirits producer Tait Bros, released their Valentian Vermouth in late 2019 and it ended up being stocked in The Balmoral, The Gannet and other boutique hospitality venues.
The business has since adapted its operating model due to the pandemic, switching to direct-to-consumer sales and focusing on independent sellers.
The Tait brothers are hoping to raise money to build a new base in Melrose in the Scottish Borders.
The experimentation studio will provide bartenders and other drinks companies with facilities for product development, while the tasting room will include a licensed Aperitivo bar and retail space to allow consumers to sample and buy products - as well as a co-working space and private meeting room.
Dominic Tait, co-founder of Tait Bros, said: “The vermouth and aperitif market is growing in the UK and globally, but Scotland is being left behind, and we believe that by creating a centre of excellence for vermouth in the Scottish Borders, we will place Valentian Vermouth at the forefront of the sector, building provenance and a reputation for craft with consumers and the UK drinks industry.”
He added: “The past year was tough, but it enabled us to underpin the work we had done to market the brand through traditional models, where bars and bartenders serve as your advocates, by pivoting towards independent outlets who filled that role.”
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