Cask and Quay manager's hopes to put Peterhead on whisky map

“I love whisky,” Andy Stott tells me in the middle of an Aladdin’s Cave of brightly coloured bottles down by Peterhead harbour.

We are talking at the town’s new shop Cask and Quay, surrounded by thousands of brands from distilleries all over the world.

This time last year, this was a disused office.

And this time last year Andy was sipping on a malt at his kitchen table, with little idea of the looming career change.

He never thought he would be in charge of turning this “rather niche” store into a success story.

But the chance to make his passion a day job was one he couldn’t refuse.

Cask and Quay has hundreds of different types of spirits on its shelves. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson

Now living his dream, the former oil and gas worker hopes to use his vast knowledge of drams and lively personality to put Peterhead on the whisky map…

We caught up with Cask and Quay manager Andy, who revealed:

How his regular “malt posts” on social media helped him land his dream job
His biggest fears of starting off such a niche business
And how they plan to bring new tasting events to a prominent local attraction

Whisky business? Why Andy took the plunge into new shop job

It’s a gorgeous afternoon when I meet Andy at the Peterhead harbour store.

Casting a proud glance at the shelves of bottles across from him, and the tray of pristine Glencairn glasses awaiting the next tasting session, he tells me of his unconventional start at Cask and Quay.

Having “fallen in love with whisky overnight”, Andy began to share his thoughts online about the malt he was having in the comfort of his home.

Andy landed his dream role through posting about his love of whiskey on social media. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson

While the 37-year-old was exploring this newfound passion, local businessmen were in the process of transforming old portside offices into the new boozy boutique.

The timing couldn’t have been better.

Andy smiles as he recalls an unexpected offer from the local trade kingpins behind Cask and Quay last May.

The 37 year old originally worked in the oil and gas industry before becoming manager at Peterhead's Cask and Quay. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson — The 37 year old originally worked in the oil and gas industry before becoming manager at Peterhead’s Cask and Quay. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson

“The owners got in touch with me and asked if I would be interested in running the shop,” he tells me.

“I met up with them to find out what it was all about and gave them a heads up that I had no retail experience, I just loved whisky.

“But they said: ‘That is all we need, someone with a passion for it’.”

The rest is history.

Cask and Quay opened in March this year.

This is how the building looked before Cask and Quay moved in. Image: Google Maps.

Who is behind Peterhead’s Cask and Quay?

The whisky store is owned by four of the town’s most prominent businessmen.

PBP services boss Peter Bruce – whose family has run a ship-painting business for more than 50 years – is one of the men behind the project.

Peter Bruce and his son, Matthew — Peter Bruce, left, is one of the men backing the new Peterhead project. Image: Keith Findlay /DC Thomson

Meanwhile, William Fulton has decades of experience on the board at multiple companies which support Peterhead’s fishing industry.

The pair are also joined by well-known Blue Tooner and boss of GP shipping services George Maskame, along with George Youngson.

Four of the towns most prominent businessmen are backing the new whiskey store. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson

What is Cask and Quay all about?

The unique store is the first store of its kind in Peterhead, offering a huge variety of whiskeys, gins and rums.

It also offers tasting events with canapes and buffets.

Andy admits that the venture was daunting at first, coming at a tough time for bricks and mortar retail.

Andy said it was "daunting" at first starting a niche business, but has now gone from strength to strength. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson — Andy said it was “daunting” at first starting a niche business, but has now gone from strength to strength. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson

He explains: “I was thinking ‘Not everyone likes whisky, it’s not something you do every day of the week’.

“But then people started coming in and realised that we have so much on offer, with different spirits too – and then they keep coming back.

“Word of mouth is continuing to help us grow, too. It’s been the key to success so far.”

The store offers tastings of a wide variety of whiskeys, gins and rums. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson

Peterhead offerings can be just as good as Aberdeen, says manager

Earlier this week, we spoke to Fox and Feather owner Lauren Joiner, who told us she hears customers praise Peterhead and the shire for its offerings compared to Aberdeen.

And Andy echoes this, adding that with the Blue Toon on the up, people can have a great day out right on their doorstep.

It comes as the town is filled with excitement over Peterhead Scottish Week, with more than 50 events planned to show the town at its very best.

Andy reckons that if more people took a leaf out of his book and shared positive thoughts about Peterhead, any negative perceptions of the town could take a turn.

The store overlooks Peterhead's bustling harbour. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson — The store overlooks Peterhead’s bustling harbour. Image: Isaac Buchan/ DC Thomson

He says: “We’ve all been guilty of going to Aberdeen for our days out because there was more to do in Aberdeen than Peterhead.

“I knew when I went to Aberdeen for the cinema, I would then go for my supper as well, so I’m spending a fortune as well as money on getting through there.

“But if I can stay in Peterhead, save two hours travel, save money on fuel or the bus, and spend money in my local town, then that’s great.”