Scots gin producer NB secures US supply deal

Gin-distilling husband and wife team Vivienne and Steve Muir. Picture: Contributed

East Lothian distiller NB Gin hopes to become the toast of high-end restaurants and cocktail bars in New York after securing an exclusive US export deal.

The North Berwick-based firm’s foray across the Atlantic comes as UK Trade & Investment has chosen it as one of only 22 brands to take part in a “gin mission”, which will involve events and tasting sessions in New York and Los Angeles at the end of next month.

NB Gin is predicting that exports will account for 75 per cent of total sales by 2017. It has already established a foothold in overseas markets including Australia, Denmark, Germany and Spain, with interest from Canada and China.

Chief executive Vivienne Muir, who launched the firm in late 2103 with husband Steve, said she was “thrilled” by the supply deal with New York-based Duggan’s Distillers.

“Similar to the UK, the gin market in the US is becoming more and more focused on small-batch artisan brands,” she said.

“Stockists are seeking out interesting hand-crafted gins because their customers are looking for variety, quality, authenticity and something which has a different ‘story’ to the mainstream brands.”

Adam Hardie, head of food and drink at adviser Johnston Carmichael, said that NB Gin was a “great example” of the capabilities on offer across the sector in Scotland.