UK Cigar Scene Magazine October Issue 10 | Page 27

Photograph by Michal Siergiejewicz

One of the unique aspects of the whisky arm of
Robert Graham is its award winning independent
bottling of rare whisky. The company has three
ranges which it bottle with a total of twenty
different whiskies in three ranges. The core range
sells for £37.99 and is includes gold and silver
medal winning bottles. The Dancing Stag is a 46°
proof whisky which has been aged for between 15
and 22 years and comes from named distilleries.
The final range is of cask strength also aged.
We discussed the current state of the whisky
trade and while it’s clear that the growth in the
popularity of rare whisky both in the UK and
overseas has created opportunities, it also creates
problems in acquiring stocks for an independent
bottler.
Stephen explained that cask whisky is held
in bonded warehouses and may be owned by
individuals or companies as an investment. Often
they are sold through brokers and the key is to
identify the best stocks and then decide how
to market them. He calculates that despite the
growth in the market there are still thousands of
casks awaiting bottling.

Stephen spent time with Ron Morrison, the
former owner, understanding this element of the
business before he took the plunge and bought his
first three casks earlier this year.
The proof of the pudding was in the awards the
new bottling has received. Two awards to date and
he is obviously extremely proud that one whisky
was placed ninth in the Scottish Field Readers
competition, the only independent among the
distillers in the top ten.
It’s clear that a huge amount of effort has gone
into the first year of the ‘new’ Robert Graham and
Stephen tells me he is lucky to have both his wife
and his daughter bringing their skills to working
with him in the business.
He is confident that the base for future growth is
being carefully laid and I look forward to watching
this exciting business grow both North and South
of the border.
Stephen Johnstone was in conversation with Nic
Wing
More details on Robert Graham are available via
the web site www.whisky-cigars.co.uk

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