Start der Whisky Produktion bei Orkney Distillery 2024
Die Produktion von Single Malt Scotch Whisky hat in der Orkney Distillery begonnen, was einen Wendepunkt für das Unternehmen markiert, das bisher vor allem für seine Gins bekannt war. Zum ersten Mal wurde am Internationalen Whisky Tag (am 27.03.2024) destilliert.
Im Überblick
- Gegründet bereits 2016, aber seit 2024 wird jetzt die Whisky-Produktion gestartet
- Adresse: Ayre Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1QX
- Erste Destillation: am 27.03.2024
- Aktuell wird im Pilotbetrieb, in der zweiten Jahreshälfte werden mit neuer Ausstattung dann bis zu 30.000 LPA produziert
Die Orkney Distillery, gegründet 2016, erweiterte ihre Anlagen in Kirkwall’s Ayre Road für die Whisky- und Rumproduktion. Durch die COVID-19-Pandemie verzögerte sich dieses Vorhaben. In der zweiten Jahreshälfte 2024 werden drei neue Kupferbrennblasen und eine größere Brauerei die Produktionskapazität auf rund 30.000 Liter reinen Alkohol pro Jahr (LPA) erhöhen. Die Destillerie wurde 2017 mit dem Ziel ins Leben gerufen, hochwertigen Whisky zu produzieren, und hat 2023 ihre Lizenz zur Whisky- und Rumherstellung erhalten.
Zur Herstellung des neuen Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whiskys werden alte Gerstensorten, darunter lokal angebaute Bere Gerste, in einem langsamen, traditionellen Verfahren genutzt, um einen geschmacksintensiven und charaktervollen Spirit zu erzeugen. Der Whisky wird in einer Vielfalt kleinerer Fasstypen gereift. Zudem entwickelt das Unternehmen neue Rumsorten, deren erste Destillationen im Januar erfolgreich waren. Stephen Kemp, Geschäftsführer von Orkney Distilling Ltd, betont das Engagement und die Detailgenauigkeit, die bereits in die Gin-Produktion geflossen sind, und die nun auch der Whiskyherstellung zugutekommen.
Mit dabei übrigens ein alter Bekannter: Tony Reeman-Clark, ehemaliger Gründer der Strathearn Distillery.
Weitere Informationen findest Du auf der The Orkney Distillery Webseite.
(Pressemitteilung, The Orkney Distillery)
NEW ERA FOR THE ORKNEY DISTILLERY AS WHISKY PRODUCTION GETS UNDERWAY
The production of single malt Scotch whisky is underway at The Orkney Distillery, marking a new era for the business, best known for its award-winning range of Kirkjuvagr gins.
An initial whisky mash has been completed, with the very first distillation planned for International Whisky Day on Wednesday (27 March).
Moving into whisky, and rum, production has been a long-held ambition for the company, founded in 2016. However, plans to diversify into these new areas were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Licences to distil Scotch whisky and rum were granted to Orkney Distilling Ltd last year, with work to adapt and expand the company’s distillery on Kirkwall’s Ayre Road progressing rapidly over the past few months.
A pilot brewhouse has now been installed at The Orkney Distillery for the initial whisky and rum development phase. Late summer will see the addition of three new copper pot stills, together with a larger brewhouse which will provide production capacity of around 30,000 litres of pure alcohol per year.
The new Orkney single malt Scotch will use old varieties of barley – including locally grown bere – in a slow, traditional way to produce a quality spirit, full of flavour and character. The whisky will be aged in a variety of smaller cask types.
As an initial step into the whisky market, and before its own single malt becomes available after the minimum three-year maturation period, The Orkney Distillery will be offering two blended whiskies, peated and unpeated, named Hoy and Fara. These will be further matured in selected barrels in Kirkwall for small batch release.
Meanwhile, the company is also progressing with its plans to create new rums, after the first successful distillations in January.
Managing director of Orkney Distilling Ltd, Stephen Kemp, said: “Whisky production has been our dream since we began work on the distillery in 2017, so we were incredibly excited to receive our official approvals to allow us to finally begin production. We’re also fortunate to be working with some of the most respected and experienced whisky production experts.
“Over the past seven years, The Orkney Distillery has become well established within the Scottish drinks sector, with our award-winning range of Kirkjuvagr gins a firm favourite in the marketplace. Our single malt Scotch whisky will be a fantastic addition to the distillery’s product range and will be crafted with the same commitment and attention to detail that we’ve applied to our gin production. We’ll share more details in the coming weeks and months but suffice to say we’re determined to create a single malt of exceptional quality and provenance, one that reflects our values as a business and celebrates the long tradition of whisky making in Orkney.
“We’re also delighted to be offering our two new blended whiskies, Hoy and Fara, which we’ve created using a very fine combination of malts – some local to Orkney. These blends will be bottled and further matured in Orkney, and they’ll serve as a brilliant introduction to what we’re looking to achieve with our diversification into Scotch.”
He added: “And, finally, our rum production, which has also started, will give existing and new customers access to a full suite of outstanding products from The Orkney Distillery.”
Titelbild: Stephen Kemp (left) and Tony Reeman-Clark of The Orkney Distillery. Image by Fionn McArthur, Orkney.com
Weitere Informationen
- Die neuesten Destillerieeröffnungen findest Du hier: Neue Destillerien & Erweiterungen
- Die Orkney Distillery auf meiner Whisky-Schottlandkarte
- Die Webseite der The Orkney Distillery
