A drinks industry expert from Cornwall secured rare investment from three of the millionaires on tonight’s episode of BBC One’s Dragons’ Den.
Whisky Me, a whisky pouch subscription club created by Tristan Stephenson, from St Mabyn, near Wadebridge, and his business partner Thomas Aske, entered BBC1’s Dragons’ Den tonight (Thursday, May 13) and secured investment from three of the Dragons.
After a tense pitch, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones and Tej Lalvani all made offers of investment, and after some time spent at the infamous ‘wall’ Tristan and Tom negotiated a rare joint investment from all three.
The deal saw Tristan and Thomas accept £75,000 investment for a 15% share, split equally between Meaden, Jones and Lalvani. This is only the sixth occasion in the show's 16-year history that three dragons have shared an investment and the first time that a whisky brand has been successful in the den.
Deborah Meaden said: “Thomas and Tristan came into the Den with a great pitch, and it was clear that they work really well together and know the whisky market - I knew I wanted to be part of the Whisky Me journey.”
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Peter Jones said: “I have been waiting for a great whisky business to come into the den. Now one has, and I’m excited to see Whisky Me reach its full potential.”
Tej Lalvani said: “I share a passion for whisky with the guys and I’m confident that we can grow Whisky Me beyond the UK market. At home subscription companies are on the rise, and this one stands out.”
Tristan, who attended St Mabyn Primary School and Wadebridge Secondary School, said: “We are incredibly excited to have three Dragons on board. The expertise that Deborah, Peter and Tej bring to Whisky Me will help take the business to the next level, enabling us to further develop our UK market and expand the club internationally.”
After leaving school Tristan worked in the Cornish hospitality scene, setting up and running the bar at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall at Watergate Bay in 2005.
A move to London followed, where he opened cocktail bars Purl, The Worship Street Whistling Shop and Black Rock. Returning to Cornwall permanently in 2015, Tristan opened Surfside restaurant at Polzeath, which is still open and now includes the Rum Bar.
Living in St Mabyn with wife Laura and their two children, Tristan started Whisky Me with Thomas in 2017. He has also written eight spirits and cocktail books under The Curious Bartender series.
Whisky Me was founded with the goal of demystifying the drink and getting the best whiskies into the hands of whisky novices and connoisseurs alike.
Members receive a 5cl letterbox-friendly pouch every month with supporting literature and live online tasting, as well as receiving exclusive discounts and rewards.
