By James Atkinson
Specialist whisky retailer, World of Whisky, has acquired the Australian distribution rights for the Benriach Distillery, of Speyside in Scotland's north-east.
Benriach is one of the few Scottish distilleries that malts its own barley, producing both peated and unpeated malt.
Initially eight of the Benriach range will be brought in by World of Whisky, covering their peated and unpeated expressions, as well as their interesting wood finishes.
World of Whisky director David Ligoff said Benriach complements the Sydney retailer's existing portfolio of Tullibardine, Isle of Arran and Glenglassaugh distilleries, as well as the Douglas Laing independent bottlers.
Ligoff believes that the renewed worldwide popularity of whisky, and single malts in particular, is evident in Australia.
"The growth in the number of boutique bars across the country, many of them specialising in whiskies, has helped introduce people to whiskies that they would not have been able to try before," he said.
"In the two years since World of Whisky opened we have seen a marked increase in malt whisky sales to the 25 to 40 year old age group."