Cotswolds Distillery raises £1m for whisky expansion

The Cotswolds Distillery has surpassed its £1 million (US$1.3m) fundraising goal, which will enable the company to expand its whisky production.

The Cotswolds Distillery released its flagship single malt whisky in 2017

The English producer raised the cash through its Angel’s Share 2 fundraising platform, which opened on 2 December 2019.

The crowdfunding campaign remains open to investors until 13 January 2020. A minimum investment of £1,012 (US$1,320) is required.

Dan Szor, founder and CEO of The Cotswolds Distillery, said: “It is a very exciting time for them [investors] to be involved with the company and we’re hoping that this new investment will carry us through the next chapter in the distillery’s evolution and help support us in creating even more delicious whisky.”

The Cotswolds Distillery will use the funds to expand its whisky range with new releases, following the launch of its “highly successful” Founder’s Choice, Peated and Lord Mayors Reserves expressions.

The producer’s inaugural whisky, Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky, is available in 34 countries around the world.

For 2019/20, The Cotswolds Distillery has set a fundraising goal of between £3m and £5m (US$4m and US$6.5m).

The investment drive follows previous crowdfunding campaigns, which saw the producer raise £3m (US$4m) of equity in June 2018.

The funds raised were invested in building The Cotswolds Distillery’s business, brand and senior management team. The producer made a number of industry hires, and built a new visitor centre with tasting rooms, exhibition space and café, which was completed in April 2019.

In 2017, The Cotswolds Distillery raised more than £1.5m (US$1.8m) in one month to expand its site.