Kilchoman joins Pol Roger UK stable

Islay single malt whisky producer Kilchoman Distillery has announced a new UK agency agreement with Pol Roger Portfolio.

Anthony Wills, founder & managing director of Kilchoman

Located on the remote west coast of Islay, the distillery was founded in 2005 by owner and managing director Anthony Wills. It stands out from other producers on the island by carrying out every stage of the whisky-making process in-house, from growing its own barley around the farm to installing its own floor malting area.

In common with other brands in the Pol Roger UK stable, which include Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Josmeyer and the recently added Californian producers Robert Sinskey and Staglin, Kilchoman is a family run operation.

Pol Roger Portfolio already has a pair of spirit agencies in the form of Hine Cognac and Speyside whisky Glenfarclas. Welcoming Kilchoman alongside these brands, managing director designate James Simpson MW remarked: “The success of Glenfarclas, since we took on the agency in 2006, has proved that fine spirits with a sense of place can sit comfortably with fine Champagnes and fine wines.”

Despite this addition of a second whisky producer, Simpson maintained: “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.”

Declaring himself “delighted” to have confirmed this distribution agreement with Pol Roger Portfolio, Wills commented: “Our companies have similar views on building premium family brands and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.”

He also thanked Scotch distiller and merchant Gordon & MacPhail “for helping to introduce Kilchoman to the market and look forward to them continuing to support the brand.”