BrewDog are expanding to the world of spirits with a new vodka, rum, and gin. We chat with Steven Kersley, MD and master distiller, who has been developing the company for 7 years, to hear about BrewDog and these exciting new products.
How did it all start?
We started making spirits around 7 years ago. When we launched, it was important to us that the process of distilling was handled with great care and attention. To make the best spirits, we wanted to make the best still, which ended up being the world’s first triple bubble copper pot still. This was specifically designed to give our spirits extreme copper contact which in turn helps us to make exceptionally pure liquid. That was coupled with building a rectification column that’s so tall, we had to cut a hole in the roof to make it fit. The higher the liquid goes, the purer it gets.
We kickstarted by making vodka and gin, tucked away in a corner of the BrewDog brewery. Initially, we went through about 196 trials before landing on a gin that we think stands shoulders above the rest.
Tell us about your new spirits range and what makes them special?
LoneWolf Gin: we infused a unique blend of botanicals in our gin to deliver a spirit with big and bold flavours. Botanicals can often be very floral and dainty, but we want to champion huge flavours that put bold gin back on the map. Alongside our hero Tuscan juniper, you’ll find a medley of lavender, pepper spice, grapefruit, and Scot’s pine. This is a gin with attitude and soul, created to subvert the typically twee and quintessentially British brands that dominate the market.
Duo Rum: we make rum at our distillery in Aberdeenshire, but we then infused the rum we make with a portion of Caribbean rum from our partners overseas. This addition allows us to marry the sun-drenched, molasses-baked Caribbean rum with our own rum, created using years of Scottish distilling know-how. Add in some spices like ginger, allspice, and a helping of sharp lime, and we have a delicious alternative to the very vanilla-forward rums that occupy the category.
Abstrakt Vodka: alongside the beautiful bottle, we have made a pure and smooth vodka that’s crisp, clear, and has subtle notes of icing sugar. We believe that vodka is a blank canvas to play with, whether you’re mixing with your favourite mixer or making a cocktail because your drink is only as good as the spirit you use in it. Abstrakt also occupies a unique space, between the cheap and cheerful vodkas and those that sell for £40+, favoured by VIP lounges. It’s about bringing the purity back into vodka at an accessible price point.
We also believe each of our spirits has a really great price for the high-quality liquid inside.
What makes BrewDog spirits better when it comes to producing quality spirits?
There are a few elements to this. One is our unique distillery. The centrepiece is a triple bubble copper pot still that we designed and commissioned. The process of making our spirits in this still gives extreme copper contact, coupled with our sky-high rectification column which pokes through the roof of our distillery. This allows us to make exceptionally pure spirits packed with characters. We also believe our team is some of the best in the business. We all love spirits, and when your spirits are made by spirit lovers, that passion comes through in the craft. There are a couple of other innovative techniques used to enhance aging, including our temperature & humidity controlled cask store that allows us to play with fermentation speeds.
Steven Kersley
Are there any other spirits in the mix that we should know about?
Yeah, plenty! We are launching our own Blanco-style tequila called Casa Rayos in September 2023. This is a 100% agave tequila made in the heartland of the spirit. We will also be launching a range of ready to drink canned cocktails in August, featuring 5 delicious serves: Cantarito Paloma, Mojito, Margarita, Espresso Martini, and a Passionfruit Martini. Finally, this winter our whisky will finally be unleashed into the world.
Can sustainability in spirits ever become the norm?
It’s something every brand should be striving for, and any new brands emerging onto the scene will certainly have sustainability woven into their DNA from the get go. We offset our scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions which cover everything from production to our supply chain.
When it comes to creating your liquids, what do you do at home to train your nose, palate, and senses to be the best they can be?
One thing is to immerse yourself in the spirits world. Try as many as you can to educate your pallet and give a point of reference to flavour combinations. When sampling spirits, you want to have no distractions. Often those trying for awards will remove any sensory distractions such as aromas or sounds; try to have a quiet place to try the spirits in a setting unaffected by any unwanted smells. When you are focused, you’ll discover more than you think possible. Oh, and avoid drinking coffee before!
What are your top 3 cocktails?
We love the classics. For us, the Negroni, Margarita, and Old Fashioned always hit the mark. When made with fantastic spirits, they are an unbeatable trio.
If you could award a Michelin star for mixology right now, who would it be to and why?
We love Rich Woods, aka The Cocktail Guy. Rich runs a secret speakeasy at our Waterloo bar, making amazing, innovative, and cutting-edge cocktails, many using our spirits. We love Rich’s attention to detail and unique flavour combinations.
What is next for BrewDog Distilling Co’s spirits?
A number of products in our range will launch in Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s in late summer, so we’re excited to see how they’ll be received. We also believe our bar-quality canned cocktails are going to make a huge impact on the category. Being able to enjoy exceptional cocktails in the shake and pour of a can, either at home or on the move, will soon become the norm with Wonderland Cocktails. Finally, we’re excited to lay down more and more whisky casks as whisky was always the focus of our brand when we conceived the idea of opening a distillery.
To discover more visit abstrakt.com, brewdog.com and lonewolfgin.com
View this post on Instagram
All imagery courtesy of BrewDog PLC.