Pol Roger Portfolio to distribute Kilchoman whiskies

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 01 December, 2014

Islay distillery Kilchoman has signed a deal with the family-run Pol Roger Champagne to distribute its range of single malt whiskies.

Both are family-run businesses, with Kilchoman run by Anthony and Kathy Wills alongside their three sons, George, James and Pete, who are responsible for UK, European and International sales. Pol Roger is one of the few Champagne Houses still in family hands and the remaining Pol Roger Portfolio agencies are all family owned and run.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman's founder and managing director Anthony Wills, Kilchoman's founder and managing director

Anthony Wills, who set up the distillery in 2005 is already known for the brand's Machir Bay and Loch Gorm releases, as well as its 100% Islay.

Kilchoman will sit in the Pol Roger portfolio alongside the Glenfarclas Speyside Single Malts and the Hine Vintage Cognacs. Pol Roger Portfolio continues to distribute the wines of Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Josmeyer, Robert Sinskey and the Staglin Family vineyards together with the range of Pol Roger Champagnes.

James Simpson, managing director designate at Pol Roger Portfolio, said: "We are delighted to be able to strengthen the spirits representation in the portfolio with the addition of Kilchoman. The success of Glenfarclas, since we took on the agency in 2008, has proved that fine spirits with a sense of place can sit comfortably with fine Champagnes and fine wines. Glenfarclas and Kilchoman are distinctively different in terms of geography and style but share the same family ethos and drive for quality. We look forward to strengthening and building on the great work already done by the Wills family and Kilchoman."

Wills, founder and managing director of Kilchoman Distillery, added: "Our companies have similar views on building premium family brands and we look forward to working closely with them in the future. It will also be exciting to be part of the same portfolio as Joseph Drouhin, whom I spent a month working for during the 1976 vendage...a classic vintage! I would like to thank Gordon & MacPhail for helping to introduce Kilchoman to the market and look forward to them continuing to support the brand."

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