David and Lara Beach are aiming to raise £35,000 by the end of the October to begin their dream of owning and operating what will be only the second craft rum distillery in the country.
Beach Craft Spirits – named after themselves but also their passion for the Moray coast where they live – will be based on the coastline near to their Hopeman home.
"We will be proud to become only the second rum distillery in Scotland"
David and Lara are crowdfunding to generate the money needed without resorting to bank loans and credit cards and if successful they hope the distillery will be operational by next Spring.
As part of the crowdfunding campaign, which can be found here, Beach Craft Spirits say they are offering five different exclusive benefits packages for investors ranging from £15 to £1000.
Investors that donate a minimum of £15 will secure themselves a plaque with their name on it which will be displayed on the distillery wall. Whilst those putting in the top level of funding of £1000 will get the plaque plus two VIP tickets to the launch party, two first batch bottles of spiced rum, two first batch bottles of intense rum, two first batch bottles of sloe rum.
They will also get two Beach Craft Spirits t-shirts, one hoodie, two bags containing rum stones, two branded glasses, one 36Knots collaboration beanie hat. A £1000 backer will also take home an exclusive 3-year-old aged rum in a driftwood presentation case signed by the distiller, be treated to a tour of the distillery for two people and they will receive samples every six months to help shape the new product development for the first three years.
Lara Beach said: “We are so excited about launching the crowdfunding and we hope that people will understand our ethos and want to become part of the Beach Craft Spirits journey. It has been so busy the last few months trying to get this up and running.
"We have sold what we can of our own to get started and we are now ready to move to the next stage. We want to people who have a passion for spirits and of course, in particular rum to get involved. The craft gin market exploded onto the scene a couple of years ago and craft rum is going to emulate this success”
David who has a degree in brewing and distilling with 16 years’ experience in the drinks industry and latterly working for Diageo, a global leader in spirits added: “There is an abundance of local gin distilleries popping up all over Scotland and the United Kingdom offering people a wide range of choice of gins with exciting flavours. The rum market is completely different and is dominated by the mainstream players. We will be proud to become only the second rum distillery in Scotland.”
He added: “Morayshire is also a fantastic hub for craft produce. It already supports five craft breweries, and two craft gin distilleries all within the heart of whisky country. Such support for new and exciting produce, sets Beach Craft Spirits in a prime position for the rum sector in this area.”
Once operational, Beach Craft Spirits intend to launch a trio of rums – a spiced rum, a sloe rum and an intense rum which will be a unique blend of fruit, coffee and liquorice.
The company plans to use local suppliers and companies to ensure the best quality of ingredients as well as specially selected cane molasses which will be distilled in purpose made copper stills.
David added: “This is not a pipe dream or some pie in the sky idea. It has been well thought out and researched. Forecasts show that craft rum sales will explode in the same way as gin has, hence our strapline, ‘It’s a Shore Thing.’
“Our goal is to create a range of drinks that encompass the beach lifestyle. Beach may be our name, but it’s also where we feel most at home. Our spirits are aimed at people who have a similar vision to us, who like to work hard, but play hard too.”
