SummaryEdit
BDCo has already supplied some of the biggest names in retail (Majestic, Lidl) and the on-trade (170+ site Loungers Group) and is now seeking to invest in their tap room and double barrel whiskey programme.
- Proven ability to sell at scale (Lidl, Majestic)
- First batch of double barrel whiskey available in October 2021
- Supplier to multisite operators, including 170+ bars in the Loungers group
- 150+ cover tap room set to capitalise on summer 2021 trading
IdeaEdit
In an industry bloated with ‘heritage this’ and ‘tradition, that’, we think there’s room for a brand like us. A brand that sets itself apart in how it thinks, the way it goes about things, the drinks it creates, and how it expresses itself. We are a distilling company that creates award winning drinks across categories and embraces a passion for craft whilst being able to deliver at scale.
We began trading in 2018 having installed at our Bristol home a 500L copper pot still handmade for us in Lincoln, Nebraska. In our first full year of trading we made net sales of just over £600k (EBITDA -£21.6k). Our second full year was 2020 and despite the challenges we were able to grow this by 20% to £723k (EBITDA -£45.3k). We have already achieved major national listings in the off-trade as well as relationships with local independently owned friends such as Left Handed Giant in the on-trade. Most recently we've begun supplying over 170 bars in the Bristol-founded Loungers group.
We now plan to invest in two big things: our double barrel whiskey program (first casks maturing Oct 2021), and our tap room (proven revenue of £200k+ in the 4 months we were able to open in 2020). We will also continue to develop innovative brands that can work at scale in both the on and off trade and work with a whole range of customers at both a local and national level.
TeamEdit
Jake Black, Founder
Driven by a passion for food and drink, Jake founded the business after successfully starting and running multi-award winning Bristol restaurant Chomp. A proven entrepreneur and leader.
Emily Astley-Cooper, Operations Director
A degree at the University of Bristol preceded 7 years working with Jake to build Chomp and then BDCo. A director of Bristol Distilling from the very beginning.
Claire Newth, Finance Director
Over 20 years experience in bookkeeping, financial and management accounting, including 4 years with Bristol brewery Wiper and True before joining BDCo as a director full time in 2019.
Guy Dodwell, Non-Exec Director
19 years at drinks giant Diageo including 5 years as UK Sales Director (Off-Trade). Guy plays an advisory role on the board.
Simon Edwards, Non-Exec Director
A wealth of experience across multiple sectors, including food and drink, Simon plays an oversight and governance role on the board.
Joel Jenkins, Head of On-Trade
With 20 years of sales experience, Joel has recently joined the team full time to drive growth.
Chris Wilson, Head of Creative (contractor)
Founder of Bristol based agency blu inc, Chris has worked with Jake and Emily from the very beginning on overseeing all creative aspects of the business.