Perth whisky auction firm targets more European collectors after sales triple up

A Perth-based online whisky auction platform that has tripled its turnover in the last three years is pushing into Germany.

Iain McClune is the founder and managing director of Perth-based Whisky Auctioneer. Picture: Fraser Band

The expansion of Whisky Auctioneer is said to mark a “milestone” in the company’s growth, with factors including the increased interest and passion for whisky across the continent and Brexit being key drivers behind the decision to open an office in Ratheim.

The company, which was founded in 2013, has 51 employees. Between mid-October and mid-November, Whisky Auctioneer had its largest month both in value and volume across its auctions – including a £375,000 hammer price for an exclusive bourbon and American whiskey auction, a £3.3 million hammer price for its regular monthly auction and £218,000 hammer price for a specialist Glenfiddich auction.

Iain McClune, founder and managing director, said: “Our European customer base is constantly growing, with over 60,000 website users from Germany alone active in the last year.

“Launching a German office is key to our strategic aims and we’ll use the new base to build on our solid foundations, facilitating our ongoing growth on the continent and offering our valued European consumers a continued high level of service whilst minimising the impact of Brexit.”

The German base will be managed by Neil Porter who has relocated to Germany to spearhead the operation. Porter previously worked for Whisky Auctioneer in Scotland and has a background in project management.

Johannes Augustin, senior representative Germany, Scottish Development International, said: “It is great news that Whisky Auctioneer will be opening an office in Ratheim and we look forward to working with the company as it establishes a presence in Germany.

“There is a strong demand for Scotch whisky in Germany, with sales expected to increase by more than 30 per cent by 2025. In particular, the rare and high premium segment of whisky is a very promising market, so I am sure that German whisky lovers will extend a warm welcome to Whisky Auctioneer.

“Germany is a vital commercial partner for Scotland. It is Scotland’s fourth largest export destination and our third largest investor in terms of foreign direct investment. The decision by Whisky Auctioneer to expand into Germany will further enhance the economic ties that bind our two countries.”

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