SPAR in Maggie Wood's Loan in Falkirk has sold five bottles of Rosebank Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky since last August when Rosebank Distillery first released its vintage product.
Just 4350 bottles were made available worldwide, with high demand in the United States, Germany and Asia.
The Falkirk shop is developing something of a name for itself among whisky connoisseurs given the selection it offers and Rosebank’s owners, Ian Macleod Distillers, made sure it was among the first to receive a delivery.
SPAR owner Anand Cheema, who opened the former Co-op and McColl’s premises in late August, said: “We’ve had a really good reaction.
“At first, people were a bit sceptical about a convenience store selling it but we did our research before opening.
“Firstly, we knew the distillery was in the area. Secondly, there are two whisky clubs in the Falkirk area.
“We’re whisky connoisseurs ourselves – we’re able to explain what’s different about it compared to the 12-year-old bottle.
“There are no stores in the area specific to selling high-end spirits so people are happy to have whisky connoisseurs.
“We saw it as an opportunity not only to sell the product but to get people talking because we knew whisky was such a big hit in the area.
“We wanted to create an homage to the community by stocking it. We’ve had a lot of people coming in to have a look at it and enquire about it.
“It’s in a locked cabinet on the shop floor so people can browse properly. It’s a bit of a showpiece.
Anand Cheema, owner of SPAR in Maggie Wood's Loan, Falkirk, which is stocking a rare £1600 Rosebank Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Picture Michael Gillen.
“This one was a special release and it was an opportunity for the local community to start their whisky adventure in terms of either collecting or investment.
“We opened on August 31 and the first bottle came in on August 29. It sold within two days and the second, third, fourth and fifth sold within the first day.”
The support the store has been shown since opening has heartened its management who are planning to offer a delivery service from March.
Mr Cheema added: “We’re trying our best to serve the local area and hopefully provide a different kind of service.”
A version of this article first appeared on our sister site, The Falkirk Herald.
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