Scotch distiller Campbell Meyer & Co. has reputedly agreed a contract to bottle its Glendale whisky brand in Russia.
At the time of writing, Campbell Meyer had not responded to Just Drinks’ request for confirmation of the agreement following a report in The Herald newspaper.
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The publication, based on a report in Russia business daily Vedomosti, said Campbell Meyer ‘will ship enough whisky to fill 70,000 bottles a month starting by the end of the year’.
However, The Herald noted Campbell Meyer had also not responded to ‘repeated’ requests for comment. It identified the Russian importer as the Luding Group.
According to the newspaper, the Russian business ‘quietly announced its arrangement with Campbell Meyer last month’, claiming Campbell Meyer’s Glendale brand will be bottled at a factory in Kolomna, near Moscow.
Just Drinks was unable to confirm that fact. However, Luding Group, which according to its website is “one of the leaders in the Russian alcohol industry”, lists the Glendale brand in its website catalogue of products.
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By GlobalDataCampbell Meyer is identified by name in the catalogue listing for the 40% proof Glendale whisky. The Russian company also supplies a host of other alcoholic beverages, from beer and cider, to wine, Cognac and gin.
This publication has also asked Luding Group for comment on the supply deal.
Vladmir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine early in 2022 prompted an international backlash, including the imposition of sanctions on the state and the freezing of Russian overseas assets.
Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister for Scotland at the time of the incursion, had also urged companies to stop doing business with Russia during her tenure.
A number of drinks companies have announced an exit from Russia. Carlsberg confirmed this week the sale of its Baltika Breweries business, joining the likes of Heineken and Beam Suntory to dispose of assets.
The Herald cited a reaction from Scottish Labour MP Blair McDougall to Campbell Mayer’s whisky contract deal. Just Drinks has asked the minister to confirm his view.
McDougall was cited as saying: “As we have just marked 1,000 days of brutality by Russia towards Ukraine, it is deeply disappointing that Scottish firms are still doing business with Putin’s Russia. It is all the more galling to see Scotland’s national drink part of this.
“This company should think again whether their profit margin is worth the reputational damage of doing business in a pariah state.”
According to Companies House, Campbell Meyer has previously traded under the designations of JG Distillers (until 2007), John Grant Blenders (up to 2003) and The Ostel Bay Company (to 1989).
The company’s online platform says the business is independent but the website still carries the JG Distillers emblem.
Also on Companies House, a filing says Simon Ballinghall was terminated as a director of Campbell Meyer on 3 December. He was at the business for 15 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Turnover for the year to 31 December was £13.1m ($16.6m), compared to £11.3m in the previous 12 months, another filing shows. Profit after tax was £511,627, down from £615,534.
Just Drinks has approached the Edinburgh-based Scottish Whisky Association, which represents more than 90 Scotch makers, for its take on Campbell Meyer’s contract in Russia. The company in question is reportedly not a member of the representative group, however.
