Scotland’s Whisky Hammer online auction house is betting on European growth as it announces two appointments at its Netherlands base. The online auction house has established operations in Alphen aan den Rijn, South Holland, marking a significant expansion for the Aberdeenshire-based company.
Whisky Hammer Appoints European Leadership Team
The company has hired Tim Lagraauw as General Manager and Evan Urquhart as Auction Manager to lead the Dutch operations starting today (October 1, 2025). Both executives bring experience in whisky auctioneering and logistics management to their new roles.
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The expansion follows Brexit-related shipping restrictions that limited the company’s ability to serve European Union customers. The new base will enable Whisky Hammer to reach private collectors in Italy, Spain, Czechia, France, and Sweden.
“Opening this new operational base in southern Holland will allow for more European buyers and sellers to get involved in our monthly auctions,” said Daniel Milne, Co-founder and CEO. We thank the Alphen aan den Rijn municipality in welcoming us, with such support for our business, and we are excited to welcome Evan and Tim to the Whisky Hammer team, where we are confident that their expertise and leadership will ensure a successful launch and continued growth of our presence in Europe.”
Whisky Hammer Plans Further European Growth
Founded in 2015 near Scotland’s Speyside region, Whisky Hammer has developed into a major player in online whisky auctions. The company runs monthly global auctions featuring rare and collectible bottles to thousands of customers worldwide.
The Dutch expansion required months of preparation with local advisors on legal, tax, and customs matters. The company worked to ensure compliance with EU Directive 2020/262 and other European regulations.
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Craig Milne, Co-founder and Operations Director, described the move as “pivotal to our long-term growth strategy.”
The company plans to hire additional staff in the Netherlands as operations expand.
The Alphen aan den Rijn location will serve as Whisky Hammer’s first operational base outside the United Kingdom. The move represents a strategic response to post-Brexit trade challenges while positioning the company for continued European growth.
European sellers can consign their whisky bottles to the October auction by getting in touch with the team.
