Licensing Update – The Journey Towards Whisky Competitions
I thought it would be a good moment to share an update on our licensing journey – it’s been a long road, full of twists, turns, and a fair share of grey areas.
Why Licensing Matters
After months of discussions with the council and guidance from a solicitor, I realised this particular licensing issue sits in a legal grey area. There’s currently no court precedent, and I am certainly not the first to test it.
At its heart, the debate comes down to two perspectives:
- Website terms and conditions: Purchasing a ticket entitles the winner to a “prize,” which may be whisky, an alternative bottle, or even a cash equivalent. A ticket creates an opportunity to win, rather than guaranteeing a specific prize.
- Contractual rights: When a ticket is drawn, the winner acquires a contingent right to a prize. From this viewpoint, the prize could potentially include alcohol, raising questions about licensing requirements.
Question for readers: Have you ever participated in a prize draw where the prize terms were flexible like this? How did it affect your experience?
Navigating the Legal Path
One potential compromise would be occasional licences for the specific dates when alcohol is dispatched. These cover up to 14 days, at £10 per application, but must be submitted every two weeks. A Personal Licence is required to make each application.
The council insists a licence is needed because this activity could be considered selling alcohol, and a Premises Licence is required for distribution, which also requires a food hygiene certificate.
To comply, I have:
- Completed my SCLP
- Installed a new lock on the storage room
- Obtained the food hygiene certificate
- Applied for the Premises Licence (processing time: up to 28 days)
Upcoming Whisky Competitions
Once the licence is granted, I will finally be able to post the competitions waiting on the shelf, all duty and tax paid. Some of the exciting travel exclusives include:
- Bowmore 16 Year Old
- Bowmore 19 Year Old
- Speyburn Kentucky, Bordeaux, and Jerez
- Loch Lomond Exclusive Cask DFDS
- Aberlour 13
- Glendronach Traditionally Peated
- Glenmorangie 18 Year Old
- Nikka Miyagikyo
Visual suggestion: Include images of these whiskies to make the post more engaging.
The Road So Far
It has been a bumpy ride. Travel editions from suppliers are limited and expensive, but some rare bottles are no longer available in ferry shops, airports, or border outlets – such as Highland Park Loyalty of the Wolf, Highland Park Wings of the Eagle, Glengoyne Cuartillo, and Glengoyne Balbaina.
I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Having once worked in a 10km tunnel for the ICE high-speed train near Stuttgart, I know that even when the end is in sight, it can take time to reach it.
Join the Journey
I invite you to follow our progress and be part of the excitement. Which of these travel-exclusive whiskies would you most like to see in a competition? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media – your input helps shape the future of our whisky competitions.
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