Spirits of Virtue

The SoV clan is expanding, with co-founder Roddy Nicoll’s youngest son Charlie now learning the ropes. At just 17, he’s already making his mark – flying the SoV flag at recent trade shows with confidence and charm.   Wearing company colours – and his first-ever kilt – Charlie cut his teeth at the ScotHot show in Glasgow, before heading to the Northern Restaurant & Bar show in Manchester.   “Charlie did a fantastic job at the shows,” said SoV’s Nic Benzie, who had him under her wing at both events. “He was sharp, switched on and full of enthusiasm. He was a real hit with younger attendees, who really connected with him. Roddy’s still the boss though – for now.”

We’re proud as punch after winning a clutch of fresh awards. Three of our non-alc brands emerged victorious from the 2025 Concours International de Lyon - World's Best Products Competition.   Our cheeky take on tequila, Seven Giants Blanco Style, and Glen Dochus Royale whisky alternative both romped home with gold medals in the prestigious competition. Completing the triumphant trio, USKO Nordic Berries vodka alternative lifted silver.   Supermarket own brands crafted and produced by Spirits of Virtue also dominated at the People's Choice Drinks Awards in Manchester. Aldi UK's Greyson’s 0% Pink Berries claimed the top spot, while Asda’s Extra Special Rhubarb & Ginger followed with silver in the non-alc spirits category.   SoV’s Product Development Director Angela Mount said: “I’m absolutely delighted with these results. We worked closely with the buyers to meet their specific briefs, creating the highest quality possible for the style desired.”   Reflecting on all five new medals wins, SoV Co-founder Roddy Nicoll said: “We set out to make non-alc drinks that people love – and these wins show we’re hitting the mark. Taking the top two spots at People’s Choice, judged largely by consumers, is phenomenal. To win at both the People’s Choice and Lyon – two very different but equally respected awards – is incredibly meaningful for our team.”

Watch out for SoV everyone! They’re dominating the non alcoholic spirit market and they’re not stopping!

Like a perfectly balanced cocktail, Mike Little brings the right mix of skill, energy and drive to his Commercial Development role at Spirits of Virtue. Adaptable, ambitious and always ready for the next challenge, Mike is all about making things happen. This is Mike, lightly grilled… 👊 The biggest lesson I’ve learned at Spirits of Virtue is… the harder I work, the luckier I get. It’s a mantra I’ve picked up from SoV Co-founder Roddy Nicoll and it couldn’t be more accurate. Our market category is accelerating and we’re setting the pace by bringing energy, creativity and persistence every day. 🍹 In five years, non-alc spirits will be… in every retail store, restaurant, bar and convenience store across key markets around the world. Not a niche, a norm! Consumers won’t just expect it, they’ll demand it. 🥃 In five years, Spirits of Virtue will be… a household name globally, known for exceptional flavours and bold innovation. 🌎 The most surprising thing about the non-alc spirits industry is… how fast it’s evolving. When I joined SoV in July 2022, I knew little about the non-alc world, and witnessing its rapid growth has been incredible. As more people adopt mindful drinking, non-alcs are being embraced all around the globe, even in unexpected places. ✈️ The most exciting part of my job is… the opportunities for growth both personally and professionally. I’m lucky to travel through my work and experience different cultures and ways of doing business. 🚛 A not-so-exciting part of my job is… arranging logistics. There’s always some new abbreviation, form or regulation to figure out. 📈 At the heart of the company lies… a drive to overcome obstacles, grow each day, build great brands and create beverages that customers really love. A quote from my favourite film, Interstellar, sums it up perfectly: “It’s not possible. No – it’s necessary.” 🦚 My proudest moment at Spirits of Virtue so far is… every time I see our brands on a new supermarket shelf or venue backbar. It was also very cool seeing Dougie Poynter bigging up our SOBOUR Bourbonesque on his socials recently (Aye, I am a McFly fan!). 🚀 A goal I’d love to achieve this year is… to take on even more responsibility in our US expansion, driving growth and making this SoV’s biggest year yet. That – and finally handing off logistics to someone who lives for it! 🙄 When I wrestle control of the office stereo, I blast out… a bit of Drake, hardstyle or something else that it’s always “way too early in the morning” for. 🍸 My go-to choice from the Spirits of Virtue brands is… Seven Giants Blanco Style. I shake up 2oz of Blanco, 1oz fresh lime juice, ½oz agave syrup and ¼oz fresh orange juice with ice, strain it into a salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice, garnish with a lime wedge, and there you have it – a non-alc Margarita so good, you’d swear it’s the real thing.

Keep your eyes peeled for Glen Dochus Royale making a star turn on the TV this weekend.   Our award-winning, zero-proof whiskey alternative features on ITV’s popular Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on Sunday, 19 January.   Each week, the show’s celebrated food and drinks expert Andy Clarke highlights ‘Best of British’ produce. This week, he’s crafting ‘cosy cocktails to enjoy in January’. Tune in to discover what tasty non-alc cocktail Andy concocts with Glen Dochus Royale.   SoV’s Business Development Director Angela Mount said: “Andy Clarke has watched Spirits of Virtue’s progress over the last few years and already knows the craftsmanship behind our Pearsons gin alternatives. I’m thrilled we’ve impressed him yet again with one of our flagship Glen Dochus non-alc whiskies and can’t wait to see the cocktail he creates. Thanks Andy!”   The show airs 9.30am – 11.30am.    #wedrinkdifferently #nonalcoholic #nonalc #spiritsindustry #loveyourweekend

With Dry January in full swing, we’re delighted to see two SoV creations featured in the MailOnline.   Writing for the newspaper, respected drinks expert Helena Nicklin listed Asda’s Extra Special Non-Alcoholic Botanical Drink and Aldi UK’s Greyson’s 0% London Dry in her pick of the best “oh-so gluggable” alcohol-free drinks on the market. Both zero-proof gin alternatives are proudly crafted and produced by Spirits of Virtue.   SoV’s Business Development Director Angela Mount said: “Helena’s lovely shoutouts prove you can find high-quality non-alcs at great prices in major retailers. My mission has always been to deliver the very best quality at any price point – whether in my past role as a supermarket wine buyer or now crafting award-winning non-alcs for SoV.”   The Non-Alcoholic Botanical Drink is one of four in ASDA’s Extra Special range, alongside Red Berries, Rhubarb & Ginger and Dark Spiced. The Rhubarb & Ginger variant was named ‘Non-Alcoholic of the Year’ at the London Spirits Competition last year. Dark Spiced, meanwhile, earned gold and lifted the trophy for ‘Best Halal Drink’ at the World Alcohol-Free Awards 2024.   Greyson’s 0% London Dry is one of two in the range we produce for Aldi UK, alongside Greyson’s 0% Pink Berries. Both flavours won silver in the International Spirits Challenge 2024.   Read Helena’s feature online – https://lnkd.in/gf_FF44w - and discover the flavours behind the accolades in store.   #wedrinkdifferently #nonalcoholic #nonalc #spiritsindustry

Great work from the team.. 🙌🙌

Our year is off to a flying start with three brilliant wins in The Spirits Business No & Low Masters 2025.   Impressing judges with its “bold and jammy” flavour profile, Pearsons Botanicals Rhubarb & Ginger lifted a coveted Master award – the highest medal in the global competition. Judges noted it “firmly delivers on the Rhubarb & Ginger promise”.    The latest edition to the range, Pearsons Cucumber & Rose, earned a silver medal, with judges calling it “vibrant, uplifting and lovely”.   Describing this year’s No & Low Masters as “very competitive”, Richard Cochrane, MD of The Spirits Business, said: “For Spirits of Virtue to receive a Master medal, the highest medal we award, along with a silver medal is a fantastic achievement!”   SoV’s Business Development Director Angela Mount said: “Winning a No & Low Master award is a true accolade and reflects the focus and expertise that we pour into crafting exceptional non-alcoholic spirits. After refreshing the Rhubarb & Ginger recipe two years ago, it’s now our best seller and I’m thrilled with this fantastic win.   Angela added: “I’m equally delighted with the silver for Pearsons Cucumber & Rose on its first competition showing. This new variant is only just hitting the market and this accolade is a fantastic launchpad for its success.”   Greyson’s 0% Pink Berries – developed and produced by Spirits of Virtue for supermarket giant Aldi UK – also won a silver medal in the competition.   SoV Co-founder Roddy Nicoll said: “Starting the year with three wins is a tremendous achievement and sets the tone for an exciting year ahead.” Check out the full results here: https://lnkd.in/g3w7VbWR   #wedrinkdifferently #nonalcoholic #nonalc #spiritsindustry

We’re making a push into Poland with our whisky and bourbon alternatives.   Our award-winnig Glen Dochus Export, SOBOUR Bourbonesque and SOBOUR Rye Style will soon be available at MAKRO Polska and Carrefour Polska stores.   SoV’s Commercial Development Executive Mike Little said: “Poland is an exciting market for us. Together with our Polish distribution partner, Platinum Wines, we’re tapping into the growing demand there for premium non-alcoholic options.”   We say “Na zdrowie!”

We’re raising a glass to toast two of our flagship whisky alternatives being named among The Standard’s Best Non-Alcoholic Whiskies of 2024. Glen Dochus West Coast Blend and Dochus Highland Bothy both earned a well-deserved spot on The Standard’s roll call of honour. Read what Deputy Shopping Editor Abha Shah had to say: bit.ly/BestNAWhiskies   In light of this recognition, here are 10 facts from SoV’s non-alc whisky trail…   1. Our first foray into non-alc whisky began with Dochus Highland Bothy and Dochus Smokey Isle in their distinctive Kingston bottles.   2. Inspired, we developed our five-SKU Glen Dochus range. ‘Glen Dochus’ means ‘Valley of Hope’ in Gaelic.   3. The Glen Dochus range reflects Scotland’s whisky traditions, with each blend paying homage to a specific regional style.   4. A star attraction at international trade shows, Glen Dochus is now available in over 20 countries worldwide.   5. Each of the five Glen Dochus blends – West Coast, Highland, Island, Export & Royale – has won prestigious awards.   6. In August, Island Blend won two stars in The Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste awards. Judges “really enjoyed its long, complex finish”.   7. One of our bestsellers in the US, Glen Dochus Export won silver at this year’s New York International Spirits Competition.   8. Industry expert and award-winning editor of The Buyer, Richard Siddle is a Glen Dochus fan too, calling the range “very impressive”.   9. With the final batch of Dochus in its iconic bottle now dispatched across the UK, we’re preparing to unveil a stunning new design.   10. In the UK, you can find a selection of our non-alc whisky alternatives at Threshers: https://bit.ly/whiskyalts