Rutland Square Spirits Names U.S. Operations Head

Rutland Square Spirits has appointed Mike Solow as Head of U.S. Operations as the Edinburgh spirits maker prepares to enter the U.S. market. Solow, a founding partner at 99 Proof Partners, will lead the company’s go-to-market strategy, distributor and retail partnerships, and commercial build-out. He will work with Taylor Foxman, founder and CEO of The Industry Collective, who recently became a strategic advisor for the same effort. Rutland Square, founded in 2021, reports roughly 100,000 cases and an approximate £30 million, or US$40 million, valuation.

U.S. Market Entry

The appointment places an experienced beverage alcohol adviser in charge of Rutland Square’s U.S. launch. The company’s portfolio includes a chai-spiced, Oolong white-tea-infused London dry gin and a sherry-cask-matured tea-infused rum, while whisky expressions are in development.

Nishant Sharma, Founder & CEO at Rutland Square Spirits, said:

“Mike has spent his career helping beverage alcohol brands raise capital and scale — he understands what it takes to build a distributor network and win shelf space in this market better than almost anyone we could have brought in. Having him lead our U.S. build-out gives us the operating experience and the relationships to move quickly.”

Experience In Beverage Growth

Solow brings more than 20 years of business development leadership focused on growth and scale, sales strategy, and customer retention. Through 99 Proof Partners, he has advised more than 200 beverage entrepreneurs on equity, debt, and growth strategy. He is based in Boise, Idaho.

Mike Solow, Head of U.S. Operations at Rutland Square Spirits, said:

“Rutland Square's story is unlike anything else on the shelf, and the category is wide open for a brand with this kind of authenticity behind it. I'm looking forward to building the U.S. business alongside Nishant and Taylor and bringing Rutland Square to American consumers.”

A Tea Infused Portfolio

Rutland Square Spirits was founded in Edinburgh by Sharma and draws on a three-generation family story spanning Assam, India, and Scotland. The business is part of the Spiritus platform of beverage brands, and its backing includes a 21% investment from actor and entrepreneur Vivek Oberoi.

Solow’s role covers the commercial work needed for the company’s planned U.S. entry, including distributor and retail partnerships.