Overview: A coalition of veteran whisky entrepreneurs has established MBH Holding, an independent Scottish spirits group headquartered in Edinburgh. The new entity combines established businesses including M&B Whisky and M&B Travel assets with a strategy focused on sustainable growth and international expansion.
The Full Story
Founders Charlie MacLean, Vikki Bruce, Jamie Burke, Liam Hughes, and Mike Hayward bring over 20 years of collective experience to the venture. The group integrates physical assets from Maclean & Bruce, Strathearn Distillery, and The Glasgow Distillery Company alongside new premium brands. With an anticipated combined turnover of £16 million and an estimated £5 million market value in casks and bottles, the portfolio includes stock maturing over 40 years.
The Edinburgh-based group has been formed to combine the wide-ranging expertise of founders who collectively over the last 20 years have founded and operated Maclean & Bruce, Strathearn Distillery and The Glasgow Distillery Company amongst other businesses. Alongside developing its existing operations and brands, the group intends to pursue selective acquisitions of complementary whisky and spirits businesses, independent bottlers, mature and rare cask portfolios, established brands, and consumer and travel businesses.
Production & Profile
MBH operates across Scotch whisky, independent bottling, branded products, travel, cask ownership and rare spirits. The group controls a substantial portfolio of casks, including stock that has been maturing for over 40 years, and is in active discussions regarding the acquisition of substantially more whisky assets.
Brand & Industry History
The founders cite the long-term strength of the Scotch whisky ecosystem and the opportunity to consolidate a fragmented market. Co-founder Vikki Bruce noted that through M&B Whisky and M&B Travel, there is a direct link between Scotland’s whisky story and consumers from around the world.
What This Means
The group will maintain its Scottish headquarters and identity while targeting international markets with a range of premium whisky, rare spirits and whisky tourism. MBH founders said they will retain all existing staff as part of the newly formed group and expect to increase headcount significantly as it expands.
Consumer Takeaway
The strategy involves selective acquisitions of complementary whisky assets, independent bottlers, mature cask portfolios, and consumer/travel businesses. The group plans to retain existing staff and significantly increase headcount while targeting international markets for premium products and whisky tourism.
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