Spirits manufacturer raises more than £2m as it seeks international expansion

Investors in Burnt Faith include communications professional Matthew Freud and the former co-owner of Anchor Brewing and Anchor Distilling Keith Greggor. Greggor was also the first investor in Brewdog in 2009, serving as a non-executive director until 2022.

Since launching in April 2023, Burnt Faith has partnered with Proof Drinks in order to ramp up its presence in retail outlets across the UK. It is now available at Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange and Amazon, while it is sold in more than 300 foodservice settings.

The brand also opened the Brandy House Bar in October 2023 to maximise the revenue potential for its 500 square metre production facility and distillery space.

Commenting on the funding raise, Burnt Faith founder and chief executive Simon Wright said that the global opportunity within the brandy category was “huge​”.

“We clearly have been ambitious from the get go by building the Brandy House in London and bringing commercial brandy production to the UK for the first time in over 200 years​,” Wright continued.

“We want to bring the whole category with us on the journey so  our doors are now open to the public where we, showcase  our ‘brandy without boundaries’ philosophy and allow visitors to taste new and exciting brandies and cocktails in a completely unique setting​.”

Looking ahead, Wright said the brand would be focused on boosting growth in the UK and internationally.

“That will require further investment in aging stock and continuing to innovate within a sleepy category. In shaking up the way the world thinks about brandy, Burnt Faith will go beyond the old conventions, constantly innovating with flavour forward brandies that will go way beyond the current corporate sea of mediocracy​,” he added.

Comments on his investment into Burnt Faith, Greggor commented: “Many people aspire to disrupt the spirits category, but there’s really only been a few game changing players that I’ve seen in the last 40  years. Burnt Faith is certainly proving to be one of them. Clear concept, clear white space and clear category opportunity.  In already knowing Simon and his track record it was a no-brainer to get involved at the start.”​

In other news, Crosta & Mollica has received private equity backing and appointed a new chair.​​