A SCOTTISH female-founded, organic and sustainable whisky distillery, Nc’nean, has successfully raised more than £1.7 million in a new funding round from both a crowdfunding campaign and private investors to help accelerate its current growth plans.
The whisky distillery exceeded its funding target in little over a week after launching the campaign on investment platform Seedrs. Further funding was injected from existing and new private investors, bringing the total funding to more than £1.7m.
The investment raised will go towards supporting the launch of their first whisky this year, the continued growth of their Botanical Spirit, as well as buying bottling equipment and supporting further portfolio expansion.
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Annabel Thomas, CEO and founder of Nc’nean thanked investors. She said: “Nc’nean’s funding success shows the overwhelming support from our community in what we do. Since inception, we have strived to drive change in the whisky industry through experimental spirits and sustainable production. 2020 will be our most exciting year to date as we introduce our whisky to the world for the first time and continue to grow our business.”
Kerry Sharp, director of the Scottish Investment Bank, the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise (one of Nc’nean’s key investors), said: “We are delighted to support this female-led innovative young company, which has a strong commitment to sustainability and is creating additional jobs in a rural area of Scotland.
“The Scottish Investment Bank has been pleased to support Nc’nean and congratulates the company on its latest funding round. We are excited to see how Nc’nean flourishes in the future and look forward to the release of its first whisky later this year.”
Nc’nean’s first product was a Botanical Spirit, a whisky-gin hybrid. Launched in late 2018, it was voted Top 10 Most Innovative New Spirits by The Spirits Business.
In pursuit of new Scotch flavours Nc’nean uses longer mashing times, slower fermentation and experiments with yeasts not commonly used within whisky distilling. It matures its whisky on site in ex-bourbon, sherry and STR casks.
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