Home Insights The unique funding strategy of a vertical whisky distillery

The unique funding strategy of a vertical whisky distillery

Paddy Fletcher, co-founder and co-CEO of The Port of Leith whisky brand, shares his personal business advice, explaining why he built a vertical distillery

In this instalment of our video series, My Business Leader Secret, we talk to Paddy Fletcher, who along with co-founder Ian Stirling, is scaling a successful alcoholic drinks company in Scotland.

How do you fund a business if your product will take several years to be ready for market?

That's the key question the founders posed themselves when they started on their business journey.

It's a challenge all new Scotch whisky brands face. This is because a whisky must mature for at least three years before it can be certified as a Scotch.

The entrepreneurs' answer to this problem takes the form of a 40-metre-tall, vertical distillery in Edinburgh.

Paddy Fletcher shared the insights he’s gained from maturing a whisky business.

Watch the rest of the My Business Leader Secret series.

Related and recommended

Give British businesses the right environment to grow

Give British businesses the right environment to grow

With Labour committed to spending more on defence, we need to be clearer on the trade-offs – while realising ultimately it can boost the economy

No 10 sees opportunities in Trump’s trade chaos

No 10 sees opportunities in Trump’s trade chaos

Labour believes a trade deal with the US will change its political fortunes, but there are numerous obstacles in the way

Sir Chris Hoy: Make sure you all buy into the same goal

Sir Chris Hoy: Make sure you all buy into the same goal

The Olympic cycling champion has brought lessons from his time in sport to his work in business

Nine ideas that will help you build a culture of innovation

Nine ideas that will help you build a culture of innovation

How do you build a company culture that nurtures game-changing ideas? Start with mindset, feedback and failure

Apply to become a member

Click here to review our privacy policy.

Start your journey