Hello, I’m Michael, cofounder of Isle of Barra Distillers. I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you all…we’ve secured two major export agreements with China and Hong Kong! This marks a significant milestone for us as we introduce our award-winning spirits to two key Asian markets for the very first time.

This accomplishment is the result of the hard work and collaboration with our two new distribution partners. It’s a huge step forward in our journey to bring the unique taste of the Hebrides to more people around the world. Our spirits, crafted with passion and rooted in the island’s heritage, are now finding their way into homes and bars across Asia.

This announcement follows our end-of-year financial results for 2024, where we saw a remarkable 26.2% increase in revenue compared to the previous year. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our efforts paying off, especially as export sales grew by an astonishing 85% in the past year, thanks to deals across Europe and India.

While we’re incredibly proud of these achievements, we’re not resting on our laurels. We’re excited about 2025, despite the challenges that the market may throw our way. The support from our new export partners is invaluable, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to introduce a little bit of our Hebridean home to new corners of the world.

Looking back on 2024, it was a monumental year for us in many ways. We secured new listings in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, launched our very first blended whisky, welcomed five new team members, and opened an office on the mainland. Perhaps most exciting of all, we broke ground on our new distillery in Eoligarry, a £12 million project that will not only help grow our business but also bring much-needed investment to the island.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our incredible team. Their resilience, especially during challenging times, has been a constant source of inspiration.

As we continue to grow, we remain deeply committed to our roots. Our family’s dream of creating a future for generations to come on the Isle of Barra is at the heart of everything we do. In fact, the new distillery, set to open in October 2026, will be the largest private investment ever made on the island and will bring significant benefits to the local community and economy.

We couldn’t be more excited for the future, and we’re grateful for everyone who has supported us along the way. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. We can’t wait to share what’s next.

Slàinte, Michael