What sets iStill craft distillers apart? Well, the use of modern technology and a better understanding of the theoretical concepts related to all (most) things "distilling". Yes, that, and the wish to produce in-house.

Strong statement? For sure. And if we mirror it, here is what many, many "traditional" distillers do: they invest into the romance via a (non or hardly functional) copper still, and then purchase most of their product with Big Alcohol (think MGP).

The above two paragraphs merit two conclusions: 1. There is a market for pre-made semi-ready product, especially in the rum and whisky segments; 2. We - as iStillers - are better equipped than anyone else to fill that gap.

How we fulfill that gap? Well, how about we, the iStillers, start producing high-quality low wines? This allows the "traditional" distiller, who now mostly outsource the actual alcohol production, to do the final run and make final cuts. They get control over flavors and - market-dependent - and can do it with a rectifiers license only.

The Low Wines Initiative is a concept we introduced to the UK market like 2 1/2 years ago. It got raving reviews, but never took off because of two reasons: 1. Our launching partner didn't deliver on their contractual obligations; 2. Our proposed business model was pretty top-down and could be considered a hard franchise, placing too much dependency on iStill HQ relative to the position of the local low wines production center servicing (and understanding) its market.

Given that demand never ceased for high-quality low wines product, how about we give this initiative another try? If MGP has a huge market share in delivering low-quality finished product, why don't we deliver high-quality semi-finished product? Better quality, more room for the customer/distiller to play with and create their own unique product, that is now sellable at higher margins. And for iStillers that participate in the Low Wines Initiative: a secondary income stream, a central place in your local distillery scenes, continuous use of your equipment, and higher total revenue streams. Diversification also makes for a more future-proof business model.

Interested? If this is an initiative you want to be part of, please let us know. As a customer wanting to purchase high-quality low wines. Or as an iStiller ready to take a place center-stage by servicing other craft distillers with your advanced equipment and knowledge, and our help.

The business model? Soft franchise. We provide the recipes and do most of the marketing. You'll be part of a global movement. We'll provide recipes, SOP, and redirect leads. You add your local marketing and sales and production savvy to that. Fixed administration fee and fixed marketing fee.

Placing iStil distilleries center-stage ...

https://www.lowwines.com/