Co-owners of Japanese restaurant on Lothian Road working with Asian cuisine and spirits.
Brenda
(the boss)Steve
(not the boss)
Always with a smile on our faces
Hello
Welcome to Crafty Connoisseur
Brenda and Steve McKenzie, hailing from backgrounds in accountancy and science, shared a mutual drive to bring something fresh to the table – new and exciting craft spirits that weren’t readily available on supermarket shelves.
Their passion fuelled their journey to transform this dream into reality, championing the production of small-batch, handcrafted products. Despite their unconventional path, they were dedicated to providing consumers with a taste of artisanal libations, bringing a unique touch to the world of spirits.
100% family owned, operated & still having fun
How we've got to where we are
Our story
At Crafty Connoisseur, we’re more than just an online retailer. We’re on a mission to build a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for spirits and cocktails.
Crafty Connoisseur is not just a business; it's a family owned, family-run venture.Founded on the values of quality, integrity, and community, we take pride in offering a personal touch to everything we do.
Sure, we offer a wide selection of premium spirits for you to explore and enjoy, but our vision goes beyond simply selling drinks. We want to create a space where people can come together to learn, share, and celebrate the wonderful world of craft spirits.
Education is at the heart of what we do. We believe that knowing more about what you’re drinking enhances the overall experience. That’s why we’re committed to providing resources and information to help you expand your knowledge. Whether it’s learning about the history of a particular spirit, understanding different distillation techniques, or discovering the art of cocktail making.
We’re here to help you become a true Crafty Connoisseur.
As part of our education programme, we’re delighted to offer Bespoke Private Tastings and Corporate Events.
Whether you’re looking to host a special occasion or team-building event, our experienced team can tailor an unforgettable tasting experience to suit your needs.
And now, we’re thrilled to tell people about our Crafty Spirits Club for adventurous connoisseurs.
This exclusive club offers members access to a range of premium craft spirits, curated tasting experiences, and insider insights from industry experts, as well as free tasters of possible future products. It’s the perfect opportunity to expand your palate and connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for all things spirits.
"What truly set Brenda and Steve apart was their personalised approach. They took the time to undersatand our preferences and tailored the tasting to suit our interests, ensuring that everyone felt engaged and involved. Their warm friendly demeanour put everyone at ease, fostering a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere throughout."
"Pawel Zakrzewski
Family Birthday
Mixed Spirits Tasting At Home"
After the closure of the restaurant, became co directors of Gain Brands International UK Limited. An import / export company with directors in the UK and Singapore. Started importing unusual spirits from all over the world into the UK and exporting UK gins to South East Asia.
The launch of online E commerce platform Crafty Connoisseur with a basic logo from clip art, selling craft spirits and craft beers from all over the UK and the world.
We have a new logo that becomes the trademark of Crafty Connoisseur
We worked on bringing in spirits from all over the world and exporting some as well.
Ink Gin imported from Australia and launch night held at Edinburgh Sheraton Hotel. After months of working with Husk Distillers in Tumbulgum, New South Wales, Ink Colour Changing Gin makes its debut at the Edinburgh Sheraton Hotel.
We continue to work on bringing in spirits from all over the world and exporting some as well.
We build and launch our brand new E commerce website
Covid strikes in March 2020 and Team Crafty take their private tastings online and they are a massive hit.
We finally get our hands on stock of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Teremana Tequilla. Launched in the US in March 2020 but still not launched in Europe due to Covid.
We officially registered our logo as a Trademark ™️
As new chapter begins and Crafty Connoisseur becomes 100% family owned and family run.
Launched the Crafty Spirits Club
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