As we’re all painfully aware, since then, times have been tough. From a business standpoint in particular, we’re all struggling, but at the same time, we’re all in the same boat. As testing as the global Covid-19 pandemic was, it also taught us plenty, not only about ourselves, but about the independent bottling business. 

Here’s a look at what we’ve learned as independent bottlers since 2020. 

GreatDrams Customers are Incredibly Loyal

First and foremost, if there was one thing the global Coronavirus pandemic taught Kirsty and myself in 2020 and beyond, it’s the fact that we are truly blessed with some of the most incredibly loyal customers a business could wish for.   

Now, I’m not ashamed to admit that, from both a personal and a professional standpoint, 2020 was a scary period in time. People were told not to travel to work unless absolutely essential, employees were furloughed, interest rates were slashed, markets crashed, businesses closed, and the economy flatlined. With so many people not working, of course there  was a concern that they wouldn’t have the disposable income to purchase our whisky. 

Amazingly however, our wonderful customers, both old and new, stuck by us throughout. Even in 2022, when everybody really began feeling the financial squeeze, you stuck by us. You can call me biased if you like, but I truly believe we here at GreatDrams, have the best customers in the world. 

Ridiculous Price Hikes Don’t Seem to Phase Us Anymore

I don’t know whether or not it’s because we’ve seen nothing but endless price hikes over the last several years, but nowadays, whenever I hear about the cost of something integral to our business skyrocketing, I just tut, shake my head, and say to myself ‘well that’s not a surprise, is it?’

I remember in 2022, when the media really started focusing on the ‘cost of living crisis’ where inflation reached double digits, interest rates were hiked, and energy prices went through the roof, I again wondered how we’d manage. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one. Not only have energy costs increased, but so too have expenses like glass bottles, labels, graphic design, marketing and advertising, whisky casks, fuel, and so much more. 

Now years later, we’re still feeling the squeeze, and it sometimes feels like it’s just one thing after another. Just like our whisky however, we here at GreatDrams are made of strong stuff, and as always, we persevere. 

Whisky Drinkers are Becoming More Adventurous

Another thing that quickly became obvious during 2020, which is still true to this day, is the fact that whisky drinkers are becoming more adventurous. 

Rather than sticking with tried and tested favourites, people are enjoying different blends and different expressions, from a variety of different cask types. As a result, we too, are becoming more adventurous with the drams we put out. Don’t believe us? Just check out this gold medal-winning  Kentucky Bourbon which we finished for 18 months in a sherry cask. 

Rather than your typical cask types and finishes, we’ve been able to experiment with different blends and more unique casks such as ruby port pipes, along with the usual favourites of course. 

Price Isn’t Everything

During lockdown, I was worried whisky drinkers may start distancing themselves from some of the more premium drams out there, and would instead start looking for cheaper, budget options. This didn’t necessarily have me worried about profit, but more so, I was worried whisky could lose its identity. I was concerned that producers would start focussing primarily on price, rather than quality. 

Thankfully, the exact opposite was true. Whisky drinkers began emphasising premium quality whisky. Yes, the better the whisky, generally speaking, the greater the price, but that didn’t seem to put whisky drinkers off. As long as the whisky was deemed worthwhile, people didn’t seem to mind paying a little, and sometimes a lot more. 

Whisky is What We’re Meant to Do

Finally, despite rising costs, supply issues, interest rate hikes, tariffs, friendly competition, and overproduction concerns, if there’s one thing these last six years have taught us, it’s that whisky is what we were meant to do. 

Not only have we expanded the business and scooped numerous gold medals and other whisky awards, but we’ve been able to branch out into other sectors, including corporate events, weddings, and consulting. All this, whilst consistently supplying our fabulous customers with exceptional whisky.

The thing that really solidifies it for me, though, is the fact that we still love what we do. As hard as it’s been, and believe me, it’s been hard, we still feel truly blessed to do what we do. For us, whisky is not just a job, or even our brand, it’s literally our life. 

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.