Ncn’ean, Scotland’s first 100% organic distillery, created an expression that takes the form of a malt spirit that is described as being "not whisky, not gin." The Ncn’ean Botanical Spirit is made with fresh grapefruit and a vibrant selection of locally foraged herbs and flowers, including bog myrtle, heather, coriander and juniper.
The new expression is distilled twice at Ncn’ean and then a third time at the Beinn an Tuirc distillery and finally bottled at 40% ABV. For the initial run of this product, the organic whisky distillery is limiting production to just 5,000 bottles.
Creating the Ncn’ean Botanical Spirit signature serve involves mixing a portion of the malt spirit with tonic water, Angostura bitters and topping it all off with a slice of grapefruit as a refreshing fruity garnish.
Foraged Malt Spirits
Ncn’ean Created a Spirit with Herbs and Flowers Around the Distillery
Trend Themes
1. Foraged Malt Spirits - Opportunity for distilleries to experiment with locally foraged herbs and flowers in their spirits, creating unique flavor profiles.
2. Organic Distilleries - Growing demand for organic spirits presents an opportunity for distilleries to differentiate themselves in the market and appeal to health-conscious consumers.
3. Alternative Spirit Categories - The rise of expressions like the Ncn’ean Botanical Spirit blurs the lines between traditional spirit categories, opening the door for innovation and experimentation in the industry.
Industry Implications
1. Craft Distilleries - Craft distilleries can leverage the trend of foraged malt spirits to create small-batch, artisanal products that cater to niche consumer preferences.
2. Herbal and Floral Suppliers - Suppliers of locally foraged herbs and flowers can tap into the demand from distilleries for unique botanical ingredients in their spirits.
3. Organic Beverage Industry - The popularity of organic distilleries like Ncn’ean highlights the potential growth opportunities in the organic beverage industry, including spirits, juices, and functional beverages.