The Whisky List launches distribution arm as appetite for whisky grows

September 30, 2021
By Ioni Doherty

Larry Aronson and Emma Cookson have joined The Whisky List (TWL) as the marketplace expands into distribution having signed partnerships with premium brands from Australia, Scotland and the United States,

The Whisky List will supply hospitality and retail trade, and support local Australian distilleries with Sydney-based warehousing and logistics.

“The heart and soul of TWL is sharing great whisky with others. With the new team in place, we now have the opportunity to champion a select few of our absolute favourites, and in the process, help support our great Aussie independent retailers with whisky that their customers will love,” said Chris Ross, Cofounder of TWL.

The brands in its new wholesale portfolio are the premium and limited edition expressions of major Scottish distilleries Bunnahabhain, Tobermory, Deanston, and Ledaig of Distell Group, a multinational brewing and beverage company, based in South Africa.

Oliver Maruda, Cofounder of TWL said,  “Long before we even dreamed of partnering with Distell, we personally championed these brands, simply because their products were worth talking about, so we are ecstatic about being able to officially import and distribute their premium and limited edition ranges in Australia.”

Managing Director for Distell for Asia, Guirec Danno said, “With the team at The Whisky List we share the same passion and love for exceptional whiskies. The Whisky List unique e-commerce experience and their connections with Australian whisky enthusiasts provide an excellent platform for our single malts to continue their strong growth in Australia.”

TWL will also be importing and distributing whisky from US-based (VA) Reservoir Distillery, and boutique Scottish Independent Bottlers; Highlander Inn and Dram Mor. Locally, TWL will also distribute Tasmanian independent whisky bottler, Remnant Whisky Co which is good news for the hundreds of small investors left in the lurch after the collapse of the Nant Distilling Co.

Larry Aronson has worked in the drinks industry for over 20 years in South Africa and Australia. In 2010, Aronson co-founded Australia’s first specialised whisky store, World of Whisky, importing and distributing whisky brands, including Tullibardine, Arran, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Tomatin, Kavalan and more. He co-founded The Whisky Show in 2012.

Mr Aronson said, “We will provide our partner retailers, hospitality, and general trade customers across Australia access to some exciting, quality, new and popular whisky.”

For all trade sales and distribution enquiries, please reach out to larry@thewhiskylist.com.au for pricing and portfolio availability.

Direct to Consumer

Meanwhile, TWL will continue to grow its direct-to-consumer sales, with a strong focus on education through their popular virtual tastings, exclusive bottlings, personalised recommendations and partnerships with independent online retailers, The Whisky Show and numerous whisky bars across Australia.

Award-winning Australian bartender, Emma Cookson will be the face and brains of TWL’s tastings sharing her insights and experience with consumers and corporate clients. Ms Cookson will also curate extensive online knowledge base of whisky content, distillery interviews, whisky reviews, bar and distillery maps and more.

She brings ten years of hospitality experience with her, most recently bartending behind one of Australia’s best whisky bars, Whisky & Alement. In September, she was nominated in Drinks World Australia’s Top 25 Bartenders 2021, recognising her as one of Victoria’s top bartenders as voted by industry professionals.

Ms Cookson said, “This will definitely be a different experience to working behind a bar and having that unique connection with customers in person, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take my whisky knowledge to the next level, sharing drams with thousands of Australians each month, albeit virtually now!”

Through TWL marketplace, consumers browse and purchase whisky from 17 different Australian independently owned and operated online whisky retailers, giving whisky drinkers access to the largest selection of whiskies available with a single cart checkout.

A range proudly more diverse than any major chain store and a huge win for both whisky drinkers and indie retailers who have united through the TWL marketplace to provide consumers with the greatest choice, transparent pricing and availability of stock.

Consumers can look forward to the first shipment of stock due to land in Australia early October, with the following expressions available on The Whisky List as well as their partner retailer websites and whisky bars across Australia:

  • Bunnahabhain 18 Year Old, 46.3%, RRP $269
  • Bunnahabhain 25 Year Old, 46.3%, RRP $649 (‘Best Islay’ from World Whiskies Awards 2021)
  • Bunnahabhain 40 Year Old, 41.9%, RRP $3,499
  • Bunnahabhain 1997 Moine PX Finish Limited Edition, 50%, RRP $649
  • Bunnahabhain 2008 Manzanilla Cask Limited Edition, 52.3%, RRP $229
  • Deanston 18 Year Old, 46.3%, RRP $175
  • Deanston 1991 Muscat Finish Limited Edition, 45%, RRP $499
  • Ledaig Sinclair Rioja Cask Finish, 46.3%, RRP $99
  • Ledaig 18 Year Old, 46.3%, RRP $199 (Best Island’ from the World Whiskies Awards 2021)
  • Ledaig 1998 Marsala Finish Limited Edition, 55.8%, RRP $359
  • Tobermory 23 Year Old, 46.3%, RRP $599
  • Tobermory 2007 Port Finish Limited Edition, 58.6%, RRP $199
  • Tobermory Classic Gin, 43.3%, RRP $89
  • Tobermory Mountain Gin, 43.3%, RRP $89

For all trade sales and distribution enquiries, please reach out to larry@thewhiskylist.com.au for pricing and portfolio availability.

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