The new company, Harpalion Spirits, is financially backed by entrepreneur Richard Dixon (who sold his successful Vets Now chain in 2018) who is the chairman, and is led by chief executive Claire Kinloch, also CEO of strategy consultancy Genoa Black.

Together the pair plan to unveil their first release – a premium spirit comprising five aged rums naturally finished in Speyside – to on-trade, off-trade and online channels in March, with more exclusive products to follow.

Commenting on the venture, Ms Kinloch said: “Richard has a real knowledge and passion for rum and last year he approached Genoa Black to carry out a feasibility and strategy project looking at the spirit sector worldwide.

“We quickly uncovered a strong and unmet demand for a high quality ‘sipping’ rum. So we decided to establish our own company – Harpalion Spirits – to create the premium sprits we understand consumers desire.”

Their first release comprises single source rums from the Caribbean, Guyana, Guatemala, Trinidad and Panama, naturally finished in Scotland in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. It is uncoloured, non-chill filtered and comes in at 43% ABV.

“Lockdown has of course been a challenge, but we have conducted extensive blind tasting over the past four months – two households at a time – and the feedback has been exceptionally positive,” Kinloch says.

Richard Dixon commented: “The spirts sector is fascinating – it constantly needs to reflect the changing nature of consumer behaviour and is always innovating. Never more so than in the current climate where despite a real shift in consumer behaviour and the obvious current challenges in the sector, this brings real opportunities to think differently.”

With a team now formed and product and brand development underway, the company will be launching its rum brand and product initially to Scotland and the UK this Spring, with sales forecast in international markets from year two.

Ms Kinloch concluded: “This is an exciting opportunity to create and build an authentic and engaging spirits business and brand that is relevant in the current social climate and bring positive energy to every stakeholder and community we will be working with.”