Ferguson Whiskey Limited, a Glasgow-based company specializing in rare whiskey investment opportunities, has secured a £450,000 financing package from Virgin Money, backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF).
The financing will support the purchase of whiskey supplies, allowing the company to expand its operations and meet growing international demand.
Founded in 2021 by CEO David Ferguson, the company aims to make the world of rare whiskey collecting more accessible. Ferguson Whiskey offers a range of services, including investing in new whiskey or aged stock, and providing support during the bottling process. The company has built strong relationships with major Scottish distillers and has partnerships with Brindiamo Group in the US bourbon market and Bravo Whiskey Golf in the luxury travel sector. These connections allow Ferguson Whiskey to offer rare casks and host exclusive experiences such as distillery tours and bespoke whiskey events.
Virgin Money’s Commercial and Trade Finance teams worked with UKEF to structure a deal tailored to Ferguson Whiskey’s needs. UKEF supported the bank by providing a General Export Facility (GEF) loan guarantee, which covered 80% of the financing and enabled Virgin Money to complete the transaction. The GEF is a flexible, government-backed scheme designed to help UK export businesses, particularly SMEs, access working capital facilities to improve cash flow and accelerate international trade growth.
David Ferguson, Founder and CEO of Ferguson Whiskey Limited, said: “We are an independent blender and bottler providing end-to-end whiskey services from cask to bottle for customers around the world. Virgin Money’s support, with support from UK Export Finance, will ensure we can continue to accelerate international business growth and attract more whiskey consumers to visit Scotland.”
Craig Wilson, Head of FX Sales & Trade Finance at Virgin Money, added: “We are delighted to be working with David and his team to support their rapid and successful business growth. Their business needs a bank that can truly support international trade, and we are honored that they have chosen Virgin Money as their banking partner.”
Carol Harvey, UKEF Export Finance Manager for Scotland, concluded: “This deal is a great example of how UK Export Finance can help support small businesses in Scotland. With the Scottish Whiskey Awards taking place in Glasgow at the end of this month, I couldn’t think of a better opportunity to toast the success of Ferguson Whisky.”