A Scottish gin producer has partnered with French-based spirit importer, Bogdan & Bertrand Company (BBC) Spirits, to drive growth in Europe despite the challenges of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.
McQueen Gin, based in Callander, Scotland, has exported gins worldwide since its beginnings in 2016 but this will be the first time its core product range will be available to purchase in France.
The Perthshire-based company is one of the first British businesses BBC Spirits has added to its portfolio and it is hoped the partnership will help build trade relations in Europe post-Brexit.
The deal also comes at a welcome time for both brands following the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the wider hospitality industry. McQueen product will be available on the shelves of many French independent stores from March, with hopes of expanding to larger ecommerce sites.
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Dale McQueen, founder and owner of McQueen, said: “McQueen Gin are excited to partner with BBC Spirits to develop our portfolio of gins in France and across the rest of Europe.
“Finding a partner who shared our values was particularly important to us and BBC’s market knowledge and expertise really impressed. Clearly this was imperative as we navigate the challenges of post-Brexit trade with the EU.
“I am confident in our joint plans for expanding our global footprint of our core range and this is the first step in delivering against those plans.”
BBC Spirits, based in Bordeaux, France have been trading for more than ten years in the wine and spirits industry, exporting over 60 products from across the globe to many countries worldwide, including the US, Australia and Asia.
Whilst Scottish whisky remains to be hugely popular in France, BBC Spirits believe there is little in terms of ‘craft’ gin available and bringing a brand like McQueen into the French market will be well received by consumers.
Greg Kimber, sales director for BBC Spirits UK & IRE, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we will be working closely together with all our new British spirit partners, in what has been an incredibly difficult time for the hospitality sector over the past 12 months due to the pandemic.
“Brexit, which started in January, was not going to frighten us away from exploring new and exciting partnerships with these award winning, world class spirit producers.
“All at BBC Spirits are 100% committed to ensuring this new partnership is a huge success and that you will soon see all these brands throughout mainland Europe. We will start importing these brands as of March 2021.”
Founded in 2015, Dale and Vicky McQueen created McQueen Gin intending to "create an adventurous gin-drinking experience unlike any other and bringing unique and exciting flavours to the market which meet the demands of the ever-evolving audience of gin-lovers".
McQueen recently launched the UK’s first full augmented reality range of gins via its own dedicated brand app. As well as the augmented reality function, the app also offers exclusive McQueen rewards and cocktail recipes.
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