Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Who are recommended photographers for lifestyle and account-based shoots in the UK and Southeast?
Members have shared a few specific photographer recommendations for lifestyle work and on-location shoots at accounts. - **Joe** (Instagram: @todays_tipple) — recommended by a member who worked with him on a shoot in Scotland; described as "a legend" and praised for service. - **Aurore Bouillot** (Instagram: @aurorebouillot) — shared as a contact option for lifestyle photography. Members suggest reaching out via direct message or Instagram to discuss your specific needs and see examples of previous work.
What paper cup suppliers offer good value and competitive lead times in the UK?
Members report finding competitive paper cup suppliers with reasonable turnaround times. **Apprintable** (https://www.apprintable.com/) was recommended for good value and quick lead times—orders reportedly fulfilled in less than a month. Members have also enquired about alternatives to **Go for Green** for orders around 10,000 units, suggesting there are multiple viable options in the market at this volume. For compliance checks on cup design and labelling, **Graphic Brands** was mentioned as offering compliance verification services across most countries.
Who are the current distributors for major rum brands in the UK?
Based on community knowledge, **Campari** is the UK distributor for Wrey and Nephew rum. This is the specific distribution arrangement members confirmed in recent discussion. For other major rum brands, members did not provide detailed distributor information in the available discussion.
What are the current alcohol duty rates and when do regulatory changes take effect?
Members confirmed that new alcohol duty rates came into effect on **August 1st**. The official rates and details are published by the UK government and can be found at the government's dedicated publication page on alcohol duty rate changes. Members recommend checking the official gov.uk source directly for the most current and authoritative information on duty rates applicable to your product category.
What is the typical cost for single bottle fulfillment in the UK?
Members report that single bottle fulfillment in the UK typically costs around **£3 per unit**. This is a baseline figure shared directly by the community. Members with more detailed experience on fulfillment logistics recommend reaching out via direct message for deeper guidance on supplier selection and cost optimization, as fulfillment strategies can vary depending on scale and specific requirements.